ONE provides a lifeline service for families of children with disabilities, another has launched a massive fundraising campaign despite recovering from breast cancer and a third has helped hundreds of women at York Hospital to breastfeed.
Lorraine Kerr was described as a “rock in a stormy sea” by Heidi Folland and Gary Haq, who have nominated her in the Health Service Hero category of our Community Pride Awards.
It is her job to co-ordinate and provide support to York families of children aged under five who have multiple health needs or a disability.
Heidi and Gary said she had been an “invaluable support” to them since the birth of their daughter, Sophia, who sadly died in April, shortly after her first birthday.
They said: “When you have a baby that turns out not to be the ‘standard model’ it can be initially overwhelming, wondering how you’re going to cope as well as trying to understand the system and what is on offer in terms of health and social care.
“Lorraine really is a ‘Mrs Fix-it’, who helps to simplify and co-ordinate these services, solve problems and offer friendship and emotional support.
“She does all this in the most wonderful and friendly way.”
They said Lorraine had continued to visit them even after the death of their daughter, who had Down’s syndrome and also suffered from the heart and lung condition pulmonary hypertension.
They said: “Lorraine has been a rock in a stormy sea, her caring nature, ‘can-do’ attitude and continual support helped us immensely.
“She provides the most amazing service to families of young children with additional needs in York.
“Her hard work and support is beyond the call of duty and deserves to be recognised.”
Meanwhile, Angie Grinham, of Upper Poppleton, has been put forward as Charity Fundraiser Of The Year by her friend, Angela Shepherd.
Since being diagnosed with breast cancer last year, Angie has been determined to give something back to the Macmillan breast cancer care nurses at York Hospital who supported her during her treatment.
She originally intended just to make a cake and raffle it off to raise money, but when her colleagues in the wedding industry heard what she was doing, many of them wanted to help too.
She now has a spectacular wedding package on offer worth £15,000 and has set up an online raffle, which will be drawn in October at a charity ball she has also organised.
Angela said: “She has done all this despite the fact she is still recovering from her illness and has recently undergone reconstructive breast surgery.
“She is a lovely and very brave lady, and has worked very hard to try to make the Win A York Wedding campaign a great success – not for herself, but because she is so grateful to the Macmillan nurses.”
Finally, Susan Blenkiron, who gives up her spare time to support new mums at York Hospital by helping them to breastfeed, has been nominated as Volunteer Of The Year.
Liz Ross, matron for maternity services at York Hospital, said: “She has received many thanks from mothers and fathers who she has helped overcome infant feeding difficulties and provided invaluable emotional support.
“She is respected by midwives and trainees in paediatrics have sought her advice and intervention.”
• Entries have now closed for our Community Pride Awards, which we are running in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society.
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