HEREFORDSHIRE’S Health and Social Care heroes were hailed for their dedication and expertise at a star-studded online ceremony this evening.

Perhaps the most emotional moment came when Dawn Daw – instrumental in setting up the Leominster Meeting Centre which supports people affected by dementia – collected the ceremony’s overall accolade: the Outstanding Contribution to Health and Social Care Award.

It was awarded to her jointly with her late husband, Jeremy, who also helped there.

Mrs Daw, also won the Dementia Carer Award and – together with Jeremy – the Care Hero Award for their work at the meeting centre.

She had returned to work just six weeks after her husband’s tragic death, determined to help some of the people worse affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Accepting the award, an emotional Mrs Daw paid tribute to her family, friends and colleagues for all their support and love.

“Thank you so much. It means such a lot,” she said.

Mr Daw, aged 66, was killed in April when his ambulance was struck by an object as he and his colleague, who was driving, responded to a 999 call in Herefordshire.

Hereford Times: The late Jeremy DawThe late Jeremy Daw

He had only returned to work as technician at West Midlands Ambulance service four months earlier after having retired in 2020. He wanted to come back to help the service cope with the pressures of the pandemic.

Several celebrity guests joined host, TV's Dr Dawn Harper, for tonight’s ceremony. Each offered their warm gratitude for the efforts of the finalists and their colleagues during what has been an especially testing time for the sector.

The other winners were:

Care Team Award: Wye Valley NHS Trust

Care Home Worker Award: Rebecca Joanne Marshall

Domiciliary Care Worker Award: Oliver Dale

Good Nurse Award: Amanda Pearson

GP Practice of the Year Award: Dr Silvana McCaffrey: Kington Medical Practice

Care Trainer Award: Joanne Bladen

Adolescent and Child Health Care Award: Chelsea Tolley

Palliative/End of Life Award: Gareth Hughes/Katherine Harriet

Mental Health Award: Emma Preece

Health Care Employer Award: Helen Gordon/Altogether Care

Hereford Times: Awards host Dr Dawn HarperAwards host Dr Dawn Harper (Image: Newsquest)