Sue Ryder Women of Achievement Awards winners announced

Samina Hussain, from Slough, won the Sue Ryder Woman of Courage award and Ailsa Bosworth, from Maidenhead, was awarded the Woman of Achievement in the Community, at the ceremony which took place at Trunkwell Mansion House, Reading, on Friday.

Mrs Hussain thanked the oncologist at King Edward Hospital, Windsor, who had treated her and said: “Cancer was good for me. It’s made me the woman I am today. In my community nobody talks about cancer, they think we’re about to die. But you think ‘I’m going to change this’.

"I feel proud and honoured to receive this award.

"The last 18 months have been the most difficult and the most amazing time of my life. I was very sick from the chemotherapy as it's a horrid experience, and so grateful for the doctors and nurses from the NHS who fixed me.

"It broke my heart to hear stories of individuals who had to suffer in silence.

"I wanted to give back in as many ways as I could. I am delighted to have helped so many individuals in my community and to have raised money for Ashford Chemo Suite at King Edward Hospital."

She added: "This award has now spurred me on and I looked forward to many future projects as an Ambassador for Sue Ryder.”

Ailsa Bosworth said: “Rheumatoid arthritis is such an invisible disease, people don’t realise what it is or that young people get it. It’s great that we’ve got this platform to just say a few words about it.”

Rani Bilkhu, from Slough, and Susan Brett, from Maidenhead were runners up for the Woman of Achievement in the Community award and Inspector Nicola Pierce, from Slough, was runner up for the Woman of Achievement in Services award.

The awards, which are sponsored by Invesco Perpetual, raised £23,262.90 in total.

Comedian and broadcaster Mark Dolan presented the awards, stepping in at the last minute after the original host fell ill. He said: “It was a very special event for a great charity and I’m happy to be able to help out.”