‘HEALTHCARE heroes’ have been honoured.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has staged its fourth annual awards scheme recognising the efforts of its staff.

The Pride of Airedale Awards were handed out across 15 categories, and more than 250 nominations were received.

This year’s initiative included two new categories, Apprentice of the Year and the Special Pride Award.

Accolades were presented in a ceremony – which included a reception, dinner and disco – at the Rendezvous Hotel at Skipton.

Around 350 guests attended.

Bridget Fletcher, the foundation trust’s chief executive, said the awards scheme continued to flourish.

She added: “The awards are the highlight of my year.

“Over the past four years, they have gone from strength to strength as people increasingly want to show their appreciation and admiration of colleagues by nominating them.

“The number of nominations this year was absolutely incredible.

“Every nominee should be very proud because they were put forward by the people they work alongside, who see them achieving great things all day every day – even when times are hard and the pressure is on.

“This is testament to the innovation, dedication and creativity of our people that, for me, define Airedale.”

This year’s awards were part of a double celebration, as the 70th anniversary of the NHS is marked.

Nick Parker, director of human resources at the trust, said the awards were a way of saying ‘thank you’ to all staff for their “amazing” work.

“The tributes to our winners that we hear on the night are incredibly uplifting,” he added.

He also paid tribute to the award sponsors.

Winners were: Annual Pride – Danielle Stoneley, frail elderly team; Special Pride Award – Afruj Ruf, pathology; Improving Quality for Right Care-Community Advanced Practitioners – Community IV Pathway; Colleague of the Year – Victoria Barlow, trauma & orthopaedics; Ward of the Year – Ward 5 (stroke); Team of the Year – children’s therapy; Outstanding Support (Corporate Services) – income and information team; Unsung Hero – Jackie Jopson, Ward 6; Innovation & Technology Award – stammering therapy; Outstanding Patient Care/Experience – Lynsey Nicholson, patient experience manager; Improving Staff Experience – respect and dignity campaign team; Volunteer of the Year – voluntary guides; Out of Hospital Care Award-Community Advanced Practitioners – Community IV Pathway; Leader of the Year – Julia Nixon, ambulatory care unit, and Apprentice of the Year – Amy Williams, Emergency Department.