A FORMER nurse who has not let multiple heart attacks and organ transplants stop her from helping others has been honoured for her voluntary work.

Jill Kessell, of Brompton, has overcome multiple health problems of her own in order to improve the lives of other people in the community.

In recognition of her tireless work, she was awarded the title of Volunteer of the Year at the Hambleton Community Awards.

Ms Kessell had to retire from nursing due to her health problems which have included her needing kidney and pancreas transplants, surviving three heart attacks and a undergoing heart bypass surgery.

She has also had an operation to remove a disc in her spine and is severely sight-impaired.

Despite all this, Ms Kessell devotes several days a week to voluntary work.

She is a volunteer on Hambleton Community Action’s Carers’ Respite Sitting Scheme and visits two homes each week.

She gives the carers a respite break and allows their dependants an opportunity to socialise with someone outside their family.

In addition to this, Ms Kessell supports a friend who is also a carer, spends one day a week volunteering at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, helping patients to eat, and is involved with the children’s work at her local church.

On one occasion Ms Kessell was discharged from a stay in hospital after a heart attack, and resumed her voluntary activities the same week.

A modest Ms Kessell says that that she is just happy she can help others.

She said: “After having to give up nursing due to ill-health retirement, I am glad of the opportunity to carry on reaching out to people in a caring role.

“I have two lovely ladies whose company I enjoy when I sit with them to give their carers a break.”

The Hambleton Community Awards seek to recognise and reward people and organisations that go out of their way to improve their communities and the well-being of residents.

As well as the Hambleton Community Action Carers’ Respite Sitting Scheme, the group also runs a Community Visiting Scheme to relieve social isolation, and a Community Car Scheme to help those who cannot access public transport get to appointments.