A midwifery student at The University of Salford has been nominated for a Woman of the Year award, for helping mothers who have cancer.
Nicolette Peel, 44, from Glossop, Derbyshire, is a mother of three, two-time survivor of breast cancer, and chair of the charity Mummy’s Star.
Mummy’s Star is the only charity in the UK and Ireland dedicated to helping women and their families affected by cancer during pregnancy or within a year of a birth.
Previous attendees of the Women of the Year award have included Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters CBE and Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
In addition to her charitable work, Peel is also studying for a BSc in Midwifery, within the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences at the University of Salford.
As one of the largest trainers of nurses and midwives in the North West, the university recently opened a state-of-the-art nursing simulation suite, giving students the opportunity to learn a range of skills in as realistic a setting as possible.
Peel will graduate in December, after completing a successful placement at The Royal Oldham Hospital.
Peel is on a steering committee for pregnant asylum seekers in Greater Manchester and also chaired the Midwifery Society at Salford University.
She will also be the first student to speak on the main stage of the Royal College of Midwives annual conference, which takes place next month.
Peel said she was both “amazed” and “excited” to be nominated for the award.
She said: “I was contacted by the Head of Maternity for NHS England, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent. She asked me to give her contact details, but I had no idea why. When I found out I had been nominated it a came as a wonderful surprise.”
Lisa Bacon, Director of Midwifery, Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Salford, said: “Nicolette is an amazing and inspirational woman who is more than deserving of this nomination.
“Her charity offers incredible support to women and their families who are affected by cancer during what should be one of the happiest experiences in their life. The University of Salford is incredibly proud of her.
“Earlier in the year Nicolette won the Royal College of Midwives President’s Volunteer Award, which recognises an RCM member who has volunteered in a field with relevance for the provision of maternal and child health within the UK or overseas.
“The University of Salford and the midwifery profession already know what an incredible woman Nicolette is and it’s great that her hard work is getting recognised”.
Women of the Year has recognised, celebrated and inspired women of all backgrounds since 1955 and continues to shine a light on extraordinary women through an annual lunch and awards ceremony, lecture and on-going foundation work.
The winner will be announced on 17 October 2016.
