Joy for volunteer Julie who is regional champion for prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards
Julie Hammond, a long-serving volunteer and shop manager of League of Friends at Queen's Hospital Burton, is a Midlands regional champion for the prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards.
Julie, who has dedicated 14 years to volunteering and fundraised more than £45,000 for charity, has been named regional champion for The Volunteer Award after being nominated by Kate Kniveton, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter.
It was during her early life that Julie developed an appreciation for the NHS after undergoing multiple operations due to her own ongoing health challenges. Although Julie also experiences difficulties with mobility she does not let it hold her back and is an inspiration to all who know her and an advocate for people living with a disability.
Among her creative fund-raising efforts over the years, Julie has dyed her hair in rainbow colours, hosted tribute nights and completed a cycle challenge while dressed as a fairy. She also took on the mammoth task of knitting over 400 easter chicks at Easter, which took her 152 hours, using donated wool and chocolate eggs to raise more than £600.
When she is not raising money for the Burton League of Friends, which has raised over £4 million pounds funding essential equipment for patients at Queen's Hospital Burton since 1980, Julie also freely offers her time to support staff at the Trust by lending a listening ear with patients, members of the local community and staff often visiting the shop just to talk to Julie who through her sunny disposition, can help brighten people's day.
After being named regional winner of The Volunteer Award, Julie said: "I was shocked to even be nominated - and to be shortlisted, let alone win the regional award feels amazing. It's possibly one of the biggest achievements I've ever had and I feel a magical sense of pride.
"It's not all my doing. I may be shortlisted individually, but I could not have got this far, in any of what I do, without this amazing team. I've given absolutely everything to this organisation, and this is an organisation that's worth giving everything to."
Chief Executive Stephen Posey said he is delighted that Julie has been recognised for her incredible efforts and she is a credit to UHDB.
He said: "I am delighted to see Julie recognised with this award for her exceptional voluntary work. Having met Julie and hearing from her colleagues just how valued Julie is by her team, I know she demonstrates our value of compassion in abundance.
"I am proud that we can take this opportunity to honour Julie and thank her for her dedication over the years, as she continues to make a difference and improve the experience for our patients and Queen's Hospital Burton colleagues. We are very lucky to have her as part of UHDB, well done Julie."
The NHS Parliamentary Awards recognise the incredible work and dedication of health and care staff who help improve treatment for patients. The nominations are submitted by MPs and NHS leaders who join forces to honour people like Julie who continue to make a difference every day.
This year there was a record number of 750 nominations submitted with the winners selected by an expert NHS panel.
To celebrate, Julie will attend a special ceremony in the House of Commons on 5 July 2023, the day of the NHS’s 75th birthday.