Cookstown woman named '˜nurse of the year' at glittering awards

Margaret Donnelly was delighted to receive her award from the BBCs Noel Thompson

A Cookstown woman who 'put patients ahead of herself' for three decades has been named nurse of the '¨year at a glittering awards ceremony.

Margaret Donnelly, who works as a learning disability nurse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, told the Mail she was both shocked and grateful to have received the NI-wide award.

“A consultant nominated me for going above and beyond,” she said.

“I was shocked... whenever she told me that I was shortlisted I thought that’s fantastic.

Nearly ready to retire after over 30 years helping thousands of patients, Margaret said she started training as a nurse when she was just 17.

She was presented with her award, which was sponsored by Randox Health, by the BBC’s Noel Thompson at an awards ceremony in Dundonald on January 12.