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By Karrie Gillett
A CHARITY fund raiser who has collected more than £150,000 for teenage cancer patients has been rewarded – with her very own shop window.
Lynne McNicoll – who decided to start raising cash after her 50th birthday – was treated to a personal shopper and put on display in the window of Jenners department store.
And the charity worker was selected for her achievements by an Edinburgh-based business who specialises in providing luxury treats for ladies.
Now the woman behind the company has set about on a crusade to find other women who deserve a day of decadence after being so inspired by Lynne’s story.
Caroline Whitmey, director of Ms Bond, has launched a campaign to find the city’s most remarkable ladies and said women like Lynne need some time-out to be appreciated.
She said: “Lynne has done phenomenal amounts for the Teenage Cancer Trust and she is the first winner of our campaign.
“Someone like Lynne who works tirelessly for charity needs and deserves some luxury. She does so much for other people and it’s about time she just celebrated what she has achieved.”
“People think they need an excuse for luxury but they just don’t. So, if the average woman wants a bit of luxury but doesn’t have it, the most selfless women in the world will never give themselves luxury.
“We are looking for four women in total who have done something just remarkable or who have maybe been through a particularly hard time and deserve some indulgence.”
Newly-crowned winner Lynne was treated to a personal shopping experience and make-up session at the Jenners department store along with her step-daughter Susan Grierson.
The two pampered ladies then posed in the shop window as crowds gathered on Princes Street to watch them being served champagne by Scotland’s Olympic swimming hope Gregor Tait.
And the 51-year-old charity worker said the day of indulgent pampering had made her feel fantastic.
“I don’t often spend much time on myself so it’s been a really nice morning getting the hair and make-up done.
“I’m quite well known for always wearing black so being kitted out today in this gold outfit has made me feel absolutely amazing.
“It was a great honour to be put forward for the campaign and I have really loved the day.”
Lynne added that even though she was getting a rare bit of luxury, she still wanted to raise the profile of her campaign for teenage cancer sufferers.
She said: “We need to raise £1 million now for a permanent teenage unit at the Western General Hospital and if people out there see me sitting here and ask questions then it’s a bonus.”
But for her step-daughter Susan, it was a rare opportunity to see Lynne get some five-star treatment.
She said: “She works so hard and doesn’t do anything for herself because she devotes all her time to other people so I think it is lovely for her to be rewarded.”
