BURY Hospice has won an award recognising its resilience and work in light of the pandemic.

The hospice clinched the Triumph over Adversity Award while receiving a Highly Commended Award in the Community Impact category at the Made in Bury Business Awards.

The Made in Bury Business Awards champion local businesses and celebrate their outstanding achievements. The awards are an acknowledgement of the successes of Bury’s diverse business community and feature 21 business categories covering all sectors.

Rachel Wallace, Head of Marketing, Communications and Fundraising at Bury Hospice, said: “We were absolutely bowled over to win the Triumph over Adversity award, and so grateful to our community for supporting us, especially over the past few months, to continue delivering the care and support to patients and their families across Bury.

"We reached out to our community in different ways, making the most of technology to continue connecting with people who needed us. We adapted and worked differently – and even extended our reach across Bury. All this was possible because of our community – the support we have experienced from businesses, schools and community groups has been overwhelming."

Leader of Bury Council, Eamonn O’Brien said: “One for me stood out in particular. Bury Hospice, one of the institutions of our borough. They provide the care and support for families in incredibly difficult circumstances and that was only made more difficult because of the coronavirus, and yet despite that challenge they managed to keep in touch with those that they care for and keep supporting the families.

"They not only did that, but they reached far more people than they did before by making use of new technologies….to ensure that the really essential work that they do can keep going, and despite the fact that their fundraising has taken so much of a hit, they have been absolutely committed to continuing that work which so many people in our borough rely on."

Rachel added: “We are so grateful to Bury Council for selecting us and to Made in Bury and Best of Bury for bringing these awards to us, for their tireless work in arranging them. There are so many organisations who also would have warranted the Triumph over Adversity award, and to receive it is incredibly special, and poignant too.

"The award ceremony took place on the day of Michelle King’s funeral – our lovely fundraiser who died a couple of weeks ago. Michelle would have been so proud on behalf of the hospice and it is fitting that we have dedicated our Triumph over Adversity award to Michelle.”