A lifesaving off duty doctor, a youth forum leader, and neurology specialist were among hundreds of NHS staff who attended the awards ceremony.
The Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) staff came together for a starry afternoon at The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster for their annual Time to Shine Awards earlier this month.
The People’s Choice award winner, Dr Lucy Bacon, who is based at the Trust’s secure mental health hospital at Guild Lodge in Preston, was off duty watching her partner’s cricket team Preston Grasshoppers playing in the grounds of Guild Park on July 6.
It seemed like any cricket match, but after 20 minutes, her friend Steve Kerry, a former rugby league player in the 1980s and 90s, was batting when he suddenly collapsed.
Lucy immediately ran onto the pitch to check Steve’s airways and breathing.
She said: “I was on the cricket field and doing CPR and at some point, I remember thinking, ‘My Gosh, he’s collapsed in front of all these people watching who love him, this has to work – I just can’t let him die.”
Three other people joined Lucy and they alternated the delivery of CPR to Steve for around 15 to 20 minutes in total.
Lucy was able to use a defibrillator to deliver a shock to Steve’s heart before resuming CPR and he began to respond.
Steve received heart bypass surgery and was in critical care for six days - but the former Salford, Oldham, Huddersfield and Whitehaven utility back has since made a good recovery.
Steve said: “I was getting ready to bat looking at the bowler, then just as he was about to bowl, before my eyes he literally turned into a rainbow. That’s the last I remember.
“I’m so thankful that people voted for Lucy to win, she is my friend, and she literally saved my life.
"It was fantastic to be able to attend the Time to Shine Awards and present Lucy with the People’s Choice Award.”
Hosted by Graham Liver and LSCFT’s interim chief executive Chris Oliver, the ceremony honoured those who have gone above and beyond in their roles.
Judging panels included 18 staff at all levels of the Trust, service users, carers and governors, who each helped to whittle down the number of entries.
Other winners included Ben Wilson-Mayor, who has been recognised for his work in creating a youth forum, Young Voices.
The Service User and Carer Experience Award winner said: “It’s amazing to think that even little changes we make can have a big impact on young people.
“This is something I love to do and that leaves me really energised, and I don’t do it to be recognised, but it’s amazing to be a Time to Shine award winner.”
Dr Czarina Kirk was credited for her hard work and dedication by taking home the Raising Our Profile Award, after raising the profile of acquired brain injuries, and has been recognised as the most influential figure in the ABI speciality.
She said: “I am pleased with how far we have come, but as soon as you become complacent something else will take its place.
“We want to continue to gain momentum and inspire real change and improve the accessibility of acquired brain injury support.”
Chris Oliver said: “I am humbled and amazed at the fabulous work our teams and individuals do to deliver high quality care and support our patients, families, carers and communities.
“It’s right that we recognise their work and say ‘thank you’.
“These awards reflect how our teams and individuals are working together, as a team, constantly striving to excel in everything we do.
“Congratulations to all our award winners, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone across the LSCft family.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here