We've had more than 320 nominations for this year's CHuFT Awards, and with just a week before nominations close next Monday 4th May, today our first Golden Ticket ballot winners are announced.

The ballot opened last week and gives all colleagues the chance to be at the fantastic ceremony at The Arches, Dean Clough, Halifax on Thursday, 2nd July.

Huge congratulations to:

• Professional Development Midwife, Stevie O'Connell
• Medical Secretary, Tracey Sutcliffe
• Neil Talbot Patterson, Senior 2nd Line Technical Team Leader at THIS
• Ward 19 Sister, Chantelle Denton
• CT Assistant, Amy Steward

Stevie, pictured left, told us: "The experience of the CHuFT awards is amazing - it’s such a big event and really great to see all CHFT colleagues coming together and being recognised for all their hard work. It’s a really inspiring atmosphere. One of the highlights for me last year was Medical Director Neeraj Bhasin’s fantastic entrance when he hosted the Awards - it really set the tone for the evening so I’m hoping he’ll be hosting again this year!

"I’ve actually been nominated before in the One Culture of Care category and attended as a finalist, which felt incredible. It was so nice to be recognised. This year, my team has also been nominated in the Must-Dos category, which just feels amazing.

"I’ll be bringing my fellow Professional Development Midwife, Rachel Clifford. She won a Golden Ticket last year, but unfortunately couldn't attend as she broke her collarbone, so it feels only right that she comes with me this year."

And Tracey, pictured right, added: "I couldn’t believe that I my name had been drawn.  It felt a bit like a Willie Wonka moment with the golden ticket - do I get a bar of chocolate too? I will be bringing my colleague Julie Carr along who is my line manager.  I have never been to the Awards before so I am looking forward to it. It's a great excuse for a posh frock and to see what it is all about."

Five winners will be drawn weekly over the next five weeks, and each will win two tickets - one for them and one for a colleague. The final date to enter is Tuesday, 26th May.

Nominations for the Awards close next Monday, 4th May.