Double award win for heart champions
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The mother of Britain's smallest open heart surgery survivor and a cardiac nurse have both been recognised for their work at a national level in the British Heart Foundation's Virtual Heart Hero Awards.
Hosted online by Vernon Kay, the awards which were held on Tuesday evening celebrated those who have gone above and beyond in support of the cardiac charity.
Charity Champion Margaret 'Mags' McWilliam is a community fundraising volunteer and the Kintore and Kemnay fundraising group leader and is the mother of Jade McWilliam, Britain's youngest ever open heart surgery survivor.
In her citation it said: "She supports the BHF as she believes that if it wasn't for BHF funded research her daughter Jade wouldn't be here today.
"Because of Mags and the fundraising group there is a greater awareness of the scale and scope of the work of BHF locally as Mags constantly informs potential supporters.
"For instance she convinced the local Co-op into supporting the group with their local causes scheme and they have given over £10,000 over the last two years and have encouraged them to apply next year again.
"Mags is an individual who goes above and beyond the call to action to further the work of the BHF.
"She educates and informs the public about important health messages and helps to raise funds and awareness."
Well known to Grampian Online and Advertiser readers for her work in the Garioch area and beyond to educate and inform on both cardiac issues and as a Heartstart champion along with her husband Ian and both Jade and her sister Iona, on her award she said: "Every day I think I am so blessed that Jade is still here, the day she told me she wanted to be a nurse I cried.
"She is now going into her third year as a student nurse and is hoping to be a cardiac nurse.
"The award was a huge shock, they didn't mention everything I do but that would of cross over all the categories!.
"So far we've raised over £100,000 over the years and I've taught over 700 people in this last year including 425 children from Garioch area."
Daughter Jade said: "I am so proud of mum winning the Charity Champion category for the British Heart Hero Awards 2020.
"We are very proud of her after all her fundraising and CPR training for the British Heart Foundation."
Inverurie nurse Liz Douglas won the Healthcare award and was described as a passionate dedicated nurse who goes above and beyond the remit of her job description to ensure that all the people within her community are well cared for.
Her citation read: "During the last eight years she has revolutionised the care delivered despite the challenge of working within a remote and rural setting.
"As a result of her drive, dedication and determination people living in Inverurie have access to unique localised cardiac specialist services delivered by Liz.
"Her compassion, caring and kind approach to her job means that people do not feel they are patients but rather that she is part of their family.
"The education sessions she runs help motivate other healthcare professionals who view her as an inspiring leader."
Speaking on her win Liz said: "I got into cardiac nursing quite early as a student nurse, I worked in coronary care and it has always been my passion.
"When I was a teenager my mum spent a lot of time in hospital and the care she got was amazing and I thought that if I could do that it would be rewarding.
"I love what I do and am very lucky to be in a job I am passionate about twenty odd years on, I still have that same passion to improve in what I do and to improve the life of patients with heart disease."
