A REGIONAL manager for Scotland’s largest social care provider has been honoured at the UK-wide National Care Awards in London.
Annie McDonald, who manages eight care homes across the north and north-east of Scotland for the Church of Scotland’s social care arm, CrossReach, received a life-time achievement in care award for her outstanding service to the industry.
The Perth-born 57 year-old beat off competition from hundreds of other entrants to win the coveted prize.
In October, she was one of five finalists picked to be interviewed by a panel of experts, and at a glitzy awards ceremony on Saturday evening she received her prize, at a packed Metropole Hilton.
Annie said: “It is an honour to receive this award, not just for me, but for my whole team because we work so well together.
“I didn’t think for one moment I would win, and even going down to the last five I told myself it was a bonus just to get here.
“It’s tremendous recognition for the great services which CrossReach provides for Scotland’s older people.”
And her boss was thrilled too.
Marlene Smith, CrossReach’s head of older people’s services, said: “This is the first time anyone in the organisation has been recognised on such a national scale, and it is fantastic for Annie and for CrossReach.
“As well as clocking up thousands of miles each year, Annie is always there to offer encouragement and support to her managers, inspiring colleagues to do better, and this award is very much deserved.”
It has been a great month for Annie, who was named ‘Scottish Care Achiever’ at the Scottish Care Awards in Glasgow – and her success was even acknowledged and applauded by MSPs at the Scottish Parliament.
Annie, who has worked in the care sector for over 30 years, is a former registered nurse with an MA in Education and International Development (Health Promotion). Previously, she worked in Bangladesh for Tearfund, and was also a midwife in London.
She has been with CrossReach since 2001, beginning as a home manager in Ardrossan, before going into project planning, and finally becoming head of service for older people’s services in the north of Scotland in 2006.
ENDS
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