Our hospice heroes have been praised by the board of trustees for their desire and dedication at an annual awards ceremony.

The Chairman’s Awards took place alongside our AGM and celebrate everything that’s best about the care that we provide.

This year, our chairman Tony Cordery was at hand to recognise the hard work and determination of colleagues by presenting seven awards in total.

From creating a beach hut in the hospice gardens to bring the seaside to a patient to always striving to make the service as best as it can be – the commitment of our staff over the past 12 months has been remarkable.

Winners were split across separate categories for Team of the Year, Unsung Hero and Staff Member of the Year.

Tony Cordery, who awarded the staff members with certificates at Apley, said: “The work of all our staff and their ethos makes such a huge difference and without them the charity simply would not enjoy the reputation it has won.

“They all play an important part in helping us provide the best quality of life for those living with incurable illnesses and support for their families.

“The efforts of everyone over the past 12 months have been exemplary and it’s only right that they should be recognised for their hard work.”

Awards went to Retail Area Manager Lynn Preece and Steward Dill Powell for non-patient Staff Members of the Year, while Creative Therapist Amanda Tormey and Complementary Therapy Lead Sue Williams received the award for patient care.

The Team of the Year accolade was given to the Day Services team and Transport team whilst a special Unsung Hero award went to Nursing Assistant Mel Pugh, who was the brains behind turning a dilapidated garden shed into a beautiful summer beach hut.

Her idea was born from a patient’s last wish to take their grandchildren to the seaside. She worked tirelessly on the project in her own time to make the patient’s wish become a reality.