Nursing student receives award as Salford pays tribute to pandemic heroes
A nursing student was one of the outstanding Salford residents, volunteers, and public servants to be recognised at the recent Spirit of Salford Community Awards.
Beth Pilling, who is in the third year of her Adult Nursing degree at the University of Salford, was chosen by judges for her hard work and dedication in balancing her studies with being a mum to her young daughter. Throughout the pandemic, Beth has also worked on the respiratory wards at Bolton General Hospital, looking after Covid-19 patients.
On her win, Beth said: “I feel very privileged to win this award. As a student nurse and a health care assistant, I felt as though it was my duty to do what I could. I’ve worked with some amazing people over the last 12 months, and I’m so proud of everyone involved.”
Lesley Tan, from Salford City Council’s Next Steps team, told us why she nominated Beth for the award: “I first started to work with Beth when she was 18; at that point she had few goals or aspirations and was living a very chaotic lifestyle with very limited family support. From that point I have watched her grow into a caring mum who is making positive changes in her life to make sure she is the best role model and provider that she can be.
“At the start of the pandemic, Beth was one of the first to put up her hand and offer to work shifts at the hospital, because she feels so driven to help others. She is such a funny, kind, creative and hard-working person. I feel privileged to watch her grow into the woman she has become, and proud of all she has achieved despite the personal obstacles she has overcome.”
The winners were announced at a special virtual awards ceremony earlier this month.
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