Top award for Ayrshire care homes boss

A REGIONAL manager of care homes around Scotland has been recognised at a national awards ceremony in London for her outstanding service to the industry.

Annie McDonald received a prize for her lifetime achievement at the National Care Awards on Saturday after beating hundreds of other entrants.

Miss McDonald, of Dalry, Ayrshire, was also named Scottish Care Achiever last month and her success was acknowledged by MSPs at the Scottish Parliament.

The 57-year-old is a senior manager with the Church of Scotland’s social care arm CrossReach and is responsible for eight care homes in towns including Thurso, Inverness, Scalloway, Skye and Pitlochry.

Miss McDonald said: “It is an honour to receive the award, not just for me, but for my whole team because we work so well together. It is tremendous recognition for the great services which CrossReach provides for Scotland’s older people.”

Miss McDonald has worked in the care sector for more than 30 years. She is a former registered nurse having previously worked in Bangladesh for Tearfund – a charity aimed at helping poverty stricken communities worldwide – and was also a midwife in London.