Issue 142

'Hero' Awards For Nurses

08th May 2006

Two student nurses from Swansea University have received gongs at Swansea's first Local Hero Awards for their remarkable contribution to the local community.

Local radio stations 'The Wave' and 'Swansea Sound' introduced the awards to recognise those who had made valuable contributions to local life in the past year. Rachel Thomas and Angela Shannon were picked from hundreds of nominations submitted by listeners. A member of the Port Talbot Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Rachel won the overall Local Hero of the Year Award for helping to save the life of an angler who had been swept out to sea.

"I feel both honoured and privileged," said the final year adult nurse student. "It's important to realise that I play a small part in a much bigger picture, but I think these new hero awards are great because they will inspire people to do extraordinary things."

Angela Shannon, a fellow nurse student, was presented with the Carer of the Year Award. Angela, who is in her first year, was nominated for her dedication as a foster carer of two autistic teenagers. She has also been instrumental in providing support for her father, who is fighting cancer.

"We are delighted that Rachel and Angela have been rewarded in such a way for their efforts," said Head of the School of Health Science at Swansea University, Anne Hopkins.

Caroline Sutch