The people of Camborne Cluster of Churches were celebrating on Friday night after Revd Neil Potter was named winner of the Care Hero Award in the annual Cornwall Adult Health and Social Care Awards.

The ceremony, which took place at Tregenna Hotel in St Ives on Friday evening, saw Neil chosen as the winner from five nominees. Also nominated in the category was Dave Orchards from All Saints Church Community Centre in Tuckingmill.

Among those supporting Neil at the event were Revd Rosheen Browning, Priest in Charge of the Camborne Cluster, Becky Lines, children and families leader and Bev Price, Centre and Projects Manager at All Saints Church Community Centre.

In a short nomination film shown prior to the announcement, Neil said: “I love the people I engage with. Hearing their stories. Some are lovely and uplifting and some can be quite harrowing. It’s about hearing their stories and being able in some respects to make a difference for them so they know someone has heard them.”

Neil was chosen as the Care Hero Award winner in a unanimous decision by judges.

On receiving his award Neil said: “It’s not just about me. It’s also about the people who support me. It’s about my wife who gives up her time with me when I am away helping other people with funerals and things. I also want to thank Bev Price for the work she does and to recognise how hard she works.”

Neil was one of three winners from the cluster with Betty and Calum who are involved with the community centre also picking up awards.

You can watch the awards on Facebook here. Neil’s category can be viewed at 4 hours, 34 minutes.