Pride of Shropshire: Award was for all, says modest Sue

However the modest care worker at Beech House Nursing Home in Wollerton, near Hodnet, says that when she scooped last year's Carer of the Year award, the accolade was a tribute not just to her, but to all those with whom she worked.

"Everybody works hard, it's not just me," she says. "I think it's good that care homes get recognised, I don't think it's done enough."

There are nine categories for this year's Pride of Shropshire Awards, which will be held at Greenhous Meadow later this year.

Categories include Courage, Environmental Champion, Good Neighbour, Learner, Local Hero and Outstanding Bravery.

There are also accolades for the People's Champion and Special Young Person, with the overall Pride of Shropshire Award being selected from the category winners.

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright said: "Sue O'Neil is the perfect example of the kind of people we want to have nominated for these awards.

"She is a real unsung hero and we know there are countless others like her who are doing some amazing things every day.

"The awards are a chance for us to put so many wonderful people in the spotlight for a day. The ceremony is a great event that highlights just how special the people of Shropshire are."

• Closing date for entries is September 8

• To nominate a worthy candidate, visit www.shropshirestar.com/pride-of-shropshire-awards

Sue, who has worked at Beech House for around 20 years, says she was stunned when she learned she had won the category.

"I was amazed, I couldn't believe it, I just didn't see that what I had done was any different from anybody else."

Sue says she won the award for her role organising events and activities for residents at the home, and it is an aspect of her work which she finds particularly rewarding.

"At the moment I'm decorating the dining room for Easter, we've got an Easter tree," she said.

"We did something for Valentine's day, and we do things for events like St George's Day and St Patrick's Day. It's a side of the work I really enjoy."

Sue, who is 59, had been nominated for the event by Frank Fuller of Market Drayton, whose wife Shirley is a resident at Beech House.

"Before her stroke, Mrs Fuller loved her knitting, and she thought that after her stroke she would not be able to do it any more," she says.

"We managed to show her she still could knit, she could do it with one hand, while I sat next to her and did the other hand."

Her husband said in his nomination that it was thanks to Sue that everyone in the home had interesting things to do.

"She's a great motivator and manages to strike up a caring relationship with each of the home's 48 residents as well as their families," he said.

Sue says it has been a huge honour holding the Carer of the Year award, and is urging people to nominate carers who go beyond the call of duty for this year's awards.