A COUPLE from Tameside who set up a group to support those diagnosed with a terminal lung condition have been recognised with an award.
Clive and Sue Green, who established the Tameside Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group, won the Community Champion Award at this year’s Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.
Clive lived with the condition and his wife Sue managed the group while caring for him. He died from the disease in March this year.
The group, created in 2018, has become a lifeline for those affected by the little-known condition, where the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes difficult.
It now supports over 300 members worldwide, with monthly get-togethers, Zoom meetings, newsletters and an active social media presence. With more than 40 people attending regular meetings in Tameside, the group offers peer support, accessible information and a sense of community.
The group plans to mark its upcoming sixth anniversary with summer canal boat trips including a fish and chip lunch.
This year’s awards were held at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum last Thursday (July 10), hosted by former Blue Peter presenter Mwaksy Mudenda.
Among the other winners was Callie Harrop, Head of Community Services at Willow Wood Hospice.
Callie was one of three shortlisted finalists in the Rising Star category, nominated by the hospice’s Clinical Director, Nicola Cheetham for her work leading her team to enhance patient pathways, streamline referrals and improve care coordination.
The awards are organised by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, celebrating outstanding individuals and teams working across health, social care and community services across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Almost 700 individuals and teams from over 140 organisations were nominated across 14 categories.
Sir Richard Leese, Chair of NHS Greater Manchester, said: “It is always a pleasure to be part of the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards. It’s a great opportunity to hear of the amazing work that all the shortlisted finalists do across our health and care system every day.
“This year it has been great to see so many different partners recognised for their contribution to health and care.”
More information about the awards and the 2025 winners can be found at https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/championawards/