Honour for nurse hailed a local hero (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Honour for nurse hailed a local hero

A BROAD Campden woman was hailed a "living legend" at a major national awards ceremony in London last week.

Retired nurse Jessica Brook was named local hero for Central England in the Help the Aged Living Legends awards.

She was presented with her award by Jesus of Nazareth actor Robert Powell at a star-studded award ceremony in the Dorchester Hotel last Wednesday, in recognition of her work in setting up Campden Home Nursing 15 years ago.

The charity provides free 24-hour nursing care for terminally-ill people within a seven-mile radius of Campden. Mrs Brook has also been instrumental in helping establish similar schemes in Shipston, Moreton, Stow, Chipping Norton, Stroud and Lechlade.

Since it was set up, Campden Home Nursing has cared for almost 400 families. In the early years care was provided single-handedly by Mrs Brook but now the organisation has 18 qualified nurses working for it.

Mrs Brook said she was "overwhelmed" to be given the award, which recognises outstanding individuals who have proved that age need not be a barrier to living life to the full.

"I am really honoured to get this award. I don't really like to be in the limelight but I thought I am really here representing all the nurses who do this work," she said.

"We had a fantastic day.

"It was just wonderful and they looked after us just beautifully. I had a lovely chat with Cherie Blair," she added.

Although Mrs Brook retired from Campden Home Nursing last year, she still continues to do bereavement counselling through her local church, St James'.