A PIONEER of the hospice movement and charity stalwart has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Jane Bradshaw was awarded an MBE for her charitable work, which has seen her become chief executive of St Teresa's hospice.

Mrs Bradshaw, 68, from Yarm, who is due to retire this year, said: “I am truly humbled to be nominated by someone in the first place and absolutely delighted to receive this honour.

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“I have been blessed over the years to work in a sector that makes a vital difference to people’s lives, at a time when they need support the most, often in their darkest hours.

"It has been a privilege to help these people and their families and work with some truly incredible staff and volunteers without whom I would have been unable to do my job.”

She started her career in 1977 as a youth centre assistant in Gloucestershire and had jobs in Jersey and Dorset before joining the NSPCC in Cleveland in 1986.

After becoming regional appeals manager for the charity's Northern region, she was named national organiser of the year.

Mrs Bradshaw joined the Darlington and District Hospice Movement at St Teresa’s Hospice as its first professional fundraiser in 1996, becoming chief executive in 1997.

During her 25 years at the hospice, she has led developments that provide a holistic approach to service and care for both patients and families.

Mrs Bradshaw was behind introducing specialist clinics for day patients, a hospice at home service and pioneered a rapid response 24/7 on-call crisis team.

She also led an extensive fundraising campaign, raising more than £1m, to develop a new in-patient facility with purpose-built premises in Woodland Road.

She founded the One Wish Lottery, which has raised more than £6 million for four hospices.

At the time of the nomination, Mrs Bradshaw was chair of the Hospice North East Collaborative, a group of 10 independent hospices working together to improve palliative and end of life care in the region.

Other voluntary work has seen her mentor staff some of whom have gone on to work in other charities and achieve national recognition.

She was also a trustee at Evolution, the former Darlington volunteer bureau, a governor at Darlington College, the musical director and founder of the St Teresa’s Hospice Staff and Supporters Choir, and member of Darlington Rotary Club.

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