A FUND raiser at Newton Abbot Hospital has been recognised at an award event.

Gill Walach was one of three people to win the Charity Champion award at Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust’s annual Our People celebration. 

The event took place at the Riviera Centre in Torquay where about 300 winners, nominees and sponsors were in attendance. 

The Charity Champion Award was presented to Gill, and Jane Read and Cheryl MacKinnon who, between them have raised more than £20,000 for the Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity on top of their busy day jobs.

Gill, from Templer ward at Newton Abbot Community Hospital, was described as ‘continually leading fundraising’ for the ward.

She has organised raffles, sponsored events, craft sales on the ward to raise funds she has also herself fundraised by taking part in sponsored events for the ward and co-ordinated others to participate.

Liz Davenport, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, who co-hosted the ceremony along with chairman Sir Richard Ibbotson, said: ‘We are tremendously grateful for the contribution that every single one of our 7,000 strong team makes.

'The annual Our People celebration is an opportunity for us to say a special ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been recognised in one of the award schemes we have running across our organisation to help us deliver better care for all.’ As well as celebrating those who had won awards during the previous year, Dr Freddie Sweeting and the breast care unit were named the winners of the prestigious individual and team Our People’s Choice awards respectively, which members of the public voted for in their thousands.

Young Devon was crowned the winner of the People Partner award, which is given once a year to colleagues from partner organisations who make a difference to people who use Torbay and South Devon NHS services or their carers.

Sir Richard, who is soon to leave after 10 years as chairman, said: ‘Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all of our people who do incredible things each and every day.’