A businesswoman and scalp-cooling educator who was inspired by cutting her mother’s hair during chemotherapy when she was just 14 has received the Future Dreams Humanitarian Award.

Claire Paxman-Lawson, director of clinical practice and education at Huddersfield-based Paxman scalp cooling was presented with the award by Elizabeth Hurley at Future Dreams’ flagship lunch at The Savoy in London.

Claire’s mother, Sue Paxman, experienced chemotherapy-related hair loss when Claire was a teenager.

That experience helped inspire the Paxman family’s work developing scalp-cooling technology, which can help some patients retain more of their hair during treatment.

Claire has since spent 17 years educating patients and healthcare professionals around the world, helping people understand their options and feel more prepared for treatment.

Elizabeth Hurley presented Claire with the Humanitarian Award for her work supporting people facing chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

Broadcaster Jacquie Beltrao compered the lunch, with special guest Amanda Holden introducing proceedings, while Victoria Derbyshire interviewed Fiona Gilbert, Professor of Radiology at the University of Cambridge, on stage.

Claire said: “Receiving this award from Future Dreams means more to me than I can express.

“My work has always been rooted in the experience of helping to cut my mum’s hair when it began to fall out during chemotherapy.

“I was just 14 and remember feeling helpless as cancer took away a part of her identity, but that moment gave me purpose and a determination to help others facing the same journey.

“Over 17 years at Paxman, I have helped patients understand their options, supported them through scalp cooling and educated healthcare professionals around the world.

“Giving somebody a sense of control when so much feels beyond their control is something I never take for granted.

“This award may have my name on it, but most of all it belongs to my mum, whose experience inspired our family’s mission.”