A SELFLESS woman dedicated her Carer of the Year award to all the unpaid carers across Warrington and the UK.

Wyn Higham, from Fearnhead, has been looking after her husband Colin since she was 46 when he suffered a serious stroke after a brain haemorrhage.

Almost 30 years later, Wyn has managed to juggle caring for him as well as being a role-model and an inspiration for the people of Warrington.

She said: “Support is vital because it is impossible to be prepared for this role and it is emotional if someone changes dramatically, you have to adjust."

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Her resilience led to the development of Warrington Carers Centre where she was chair for more than a decade, as well as developing a support group for stroke survivors.

Her achievements were also recognised when she was asked to speak at a national conference as the voice of carers but on the night of the Inspiration Awards she stressed: "I was more nervous today than when I was doing the speech at the national conference!"

Speaking after accepting the award at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, she said: “First of all, I am very proud, but I would like to accept the award on behalf of the six-and-a-half million unpaid carers in the UK.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone and I think everyone should have won because they all deserve an award, they really do.

"I'm just really surprised.”

Highly commended was Ben Ashton who works as an apprentice carer on ward A9 at Warrington Hospital.

colleagues say Ben is one of the most hardworking and caring staff members they have ever met and they wish there were more Ben Ashtons in the world.

While Kay Briody goes above and beyond in her role as a social services carer.

Her son’s condition means she has many disturbed nights but she never complains and always arrives with a smile on her face.

A deserving nominee with a heart of gold.