The Hour

What a crazy time I have had recently – crazy in a good way.

First up, I had my charity night, Rock Chic 2 ‘an Evening with the Soul Foundation' which went better than I could have expected.

Sloans ballroom was packed, the band were perfect and everybody seemed to have a ball. Most importantly, we raised £3500 for the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre which I was delighted with and I can’t thank everyone enough for all your help and generous donations. You can check out pictures from the night, taken by the very kind Rosie at Little People Portraits Skye, here.

Sloans was the perfect venue and apparently it was a record night for the ballroom’s bar takings – so thank you my party animal (code word for drunken) friends and family.

I revisited Sloans a few weeks later for another charity night – the STV Appeal quiz which we won! The online team (Quizzers on Ice), with a little help from weather wonder Sean Batty, took joint top spot with STV Local, something we were very proud of consindering those who doubted our capabilities – I point no elbows STV anchorman John MacKay.

Since the last time I blogged I have also ventured to Coronation Street to interview John Michie, Jack P Shepherd and Paula Lane, whilst prancing about on the cobbles and sneaking into the Rovers and the like.

I made a little Scottish blip on camera when I said I was going into Roy’s Rolls to see if he had a square sausage. You know what I meant!

I interviewed Dancing on Ice champ Sam Attwater and I also spent a fun-filled day in Perth with former TOWIE star Maria Fowler.

We produced a mini series for stv.tv called Ma Way: Maria Fowler’s guide to Perth which I absolutely loved being part of. Maria was a treat to work with.

We giggled as I taught her Scottish words (jobby being a personal favourite), looked ridiculous as she Essexed me up in a velour tracksuit, while I got her tarted up in tartan and drank cocktails in Perth’s finest night spots.

Although, on the face of things, Maria is living a glamorous lifestyle, partying, shopping and enjoying wild nights out with her footballer boyfriend Lee Croft, life hasn’t always been so rosy for the gorgeous WAG.

Over five years ago her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, a time Maria described as “really bad.”

After receiving treatment, thankfully Maria’s mum pulled through and she told me: “We got through it, she got through it and she’s doing really well.”

Now Maria uses her celebrity status to raise money and awareness for cancer charities, last year running the Race For Life.

She said: “I think it’s important with having the large internet following I have, it’s such a good way to raise money having that position in the public eye.” I agree Maria, good on you.

Maria and I are planning a night out in Glasgow soon…look out Corinthian!

Life has been so busy recently that my own battle with cancer really has been at the back of my mind.

I can honestly say that after a terrible time health-wise over Christmas, I feel the best I have done since I was diagnosed with leukaemia back in September 2009.

Last week saw my first hospital visit of 2012 and the fear of ‘what if’ came flooding back, but thankfully the doctors seemed please with my progress and although I am awaiting results, and feel a shiver run through my body every time I think what might be, I am getting on with living life to the max.

Looking back on my blogs, I see how far I have come since that fateful day I learned I had cancer.

2 years ago, I wrote a blog about Mother’s Day talking about my own desire to be a mum.

Hopefully, if I continue to respond to treatment, one day, eventually, that will become a reality but for now I am content in celebrating the day with my own special mum, who has been an incredible source of strength and comfort throughout my life, especially since the Big C crept in.

Happy Mother’s Day! x

Remember you can email me at laura.boyd@stv.tv or follow me on Twitter @STVLaura. It's always lovely to hear from you.

Picture courtesy of Isle of Skye Photography.