The pride of St Luke’s is now officially the Pride of Britain!
86 year-old St Luke’s Hospice fundraiser, Vera Rogers from Winsford, has been named the winner of The Pride of Britain North West Regional Fundraiser Award.
Vera was featured on ITV Granada Reports on Thursday 14th September with the news of her nomination, before a panel of judges crowned her the winner.
The announcement came as a surprise to Vera, who was shocked to learn the news live on Granada Reports on Friday 15th September.
St Luke’s staff and a Granada Reports news crew surprised the hospice fundraiser which led to an emotional moment.
Taken aback by the reveal, Vera said: “Thank you so much. It’s unusual for me to be lost for words. I can’t thank everybody enough.”
The St Luke’s super-woman has raised more than £20,000 through daring abseils, skydives and wing walks in aid of the Hospice where her husband Joe was cared for before he died of cancer in 2021.
Vera said: “I came to Winsford from Liverpool in 1967 and it has been a wonderful place for my family. Over the years I’ve had a lot of friends cared for by St Luke’s and so I started fundraising for the Hospice. Little did I know that one day I would need St Luke’s as two years ago they cared for my husband. I’m just happy to raise money for the Hospice.”
“Everything I do is for Joe. I always say, you give in life, you get back in life. That’s my motto. Don’t take things for granted because you never know what’s round the corner.”
St Luke’s Head of Events, Jane Thompson, said: “Vera is very special, she’s our little pocket-rocket. She’s done so many things for the hospice and she’s so humble about it all.”
The 86-year-old will now be preparing to go to London for The Pride of Britain Awards ceremony, taking place on Sunday 8th October.
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