Volunteer Janet rewarded at Trust’s awards night

October 19, 2018

Featured in the Halesowen News.

A VOLUNTEER who played a huge part in the fundraising drive for Rowley Regis Hospital’s Garden of Remembrance has received a regional award for her work.
Janet Dearne, chairwoman of the League of Friends group attached to Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, received the Volunteer of the Year honour at the Trust’s Star Awards night.
In addition to the Garden of Remembrance, Janet has also led fundraising drives to buy much-needed equipment for the Rowley Regis site on Moor Lane.
Janet has devoted 40 years to her role with the League of Friends organisation, in which time she has helped the group raise more than £500,000 for equipment used at Rowley Regis, Sandwell and City Hospitals.
The awards night was held at Aston Villa Football Club on Friday, October 12, with the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Joy Edis, a special guest at the event.
The coveted Distinguished Service Award went to the recently retired Rev Ann Stevenson, who has led the Trust’s chaplaincy services for more than 20 years.
Donna Mighty, co-chair of the Trust’s BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Network, picked up the award for Equality and Diversity Champion.
The Employee of the Year gong went to Matron Debi Fretwell, while infant feeding coordinator Louise Thompson won the Prize for Innovation and was part of the Clinical Team of the Year.
Richard Samuda, chairman of Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals, said: “It was a very successful event which celebrated the achievements of our wonderful workforce.
“Our Trust has so many dedicated and caring employees who deserve this recognition.
“They have devoted their time to looking after patients and improving their experience when visiting our hospitals.”