Lady Haughey awarded the Loving Cup

Lady Haughey was awarded one of the city’s highest honours for her unstinting charitable work at a ceremony in the City Chambers on Friday October 16.

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty awarded the Loving Cup to the inspirational businesswoman who launched the global, Glasgow-based, multi-million pound company, City Refrigeration Holdings Ltd, alongside her husband, in 1985.

Lady Haughey’s wealth has allowed her to support countless charities big and small through her City Charitable Trust. Donating more than £7 million to worthwhile causes including: the Lord Provost’s Goodwill Fund, Maggie’s Centre, the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the Emmaus homelessness charity and Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

Her most recent endeavour has been championing the £5 million Kilbryde Hospice in Lanarkshire. The day services centre of this 18-bed facility opened in January 2015. An in-patient unit will follow early next year. However, it wasn’t simply a case of Lady Haughey making a personal donation. She was also heavily involved in fundraising and serves as a board director.

Similarly, she’s a trustee of the Lord Provost’s Goodwill Fund to which she contributed £250,000.

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “Lady Haughey is a loyal supporter and friend of this city. She is someone who is always willing to lend a hand and she’s never too precious to roll up her sleeves and get a job done.

“It’s that down to earth, can-do attitude and determination that has propelled her from an ordinary girl growing up in the Gorbals to a successful businesswoman and philanthropist.

“Her generosity of spirit as well as her tireless charitable work is hugely appreciated. She’s proven time and time again, silently and without acknowledgement, her love for this city and its people and it’s my pleasure as Lord Provost to acknowledge that with this award.”

The Loving Cup is one of the city’s highest honours and is presented to any person or group who have brought distinction and honour to Glasgow.

Lady Haughey said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this prestigious award from the Lord Provost, following in the footsteps of so many outstanding recipients. I am a very proud Glaswegian and I am humbled by this award. I am grateful to the Lord Provost for affording me this wonderful honour.”

Last year Reverend Dr Laurence Whitley was honoured for his years of pastoral service to the city including his First World War Commemoration Service at Glasgow Cathedral to mark the national centenary of the Great War and his moving sermon in the aftermath of the Clutha helicopter disaster, relayed across the world.