Three Gills  -  Callaghan, Bursell, Holsey..... and Valerie Firth, collected their 40 years service awards last night and were among the many stars of our latest presentation event.

They were joined by colleagues with 25 years' service and they included physiotherapist Sally Robertshaw whose patients include last night's co-presenter our CEO Owen Williams.  Consultant Karol Rogawski and his secretary Gillian Grayson received their 25-year certificates together and in another special twist  Mary Smith, pictured with her grandson  Isaac*, below, and Elizabeth Kenyon were two 25 years recipients for our domestics team.

Owen told them all: "  I sort of like the comparison to Weebles - you may wobble but your resilience means you never fall down. Your ability to dust yourselves down after a tough day and come back for more to care for our patients cannot be underestimated.

" We may work in a dramatic environment with many mixed emotions yet you constantly have shown the ability to keep coming back to provide that next list of care.

"You give so much. Not just  to your patients, but to your colleagues also over so many years, and that is a tremendnous achievement. Stay in this moment. Enjoy it."

Physiotherapist Sally Robertshaw was among those with 25 years and she revealed her reaction when she saw the name Owen Williams on her clinic list. She said: " I saw the name and though, "Can there be more than one Owen Williams?" I went out into the waiting room and he was there sitting with everyone else."

Owen needed treatment and exercises for a lower leg and ankle condition ** and Sally, added: " He was an excellent patient and has got better because he has done as we asked." Owen hailed her his "lifesaver"!

As well as certificates all the recipients enjoyed an afternoon tea with their families and gifts cards at the event in the Learning Centre at HRI.

*Little Isaac was invited as childcare arrangements failed at the last minute so he was there to see his gran Mary pick up her award.

** Owen gave us his permission for us to share his physio story. 

If you'd like your photo from the event please contact antonia.crookes@cht.nhs.uk