Councillor Gill awarded New Year Honour

Members of Alnwick Town Council were delighted to hear that a fellow councillor has been named in the King’s New Year’s Honours.

Gill Castle will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her campaigning on behalf of people living with stomas.

On behalf of all the Councillors, Mayor Geoff Watson spoke of his delight in hearing the news saying “Gill really is a force for good and I’m so pleased that her determination to improve the lives of others has been recognised in this way. Gill was faced with a daunting situation when she received a stoma following birth trauma, but she has used her own experiences as motivation to improve the lives of so many others.”

“I like what our fellow councillor Rosie Bush said to Gill – “this is confirmation that you are awesome in the eyes of the King as well as all of us!”

“You are awesome Gill and Alnwick is proud of you.”

Speaking after the news of her honour had been made public Gill said “I’m very grateful to be nominated for an honour which reflects all the support I’ve had in raising awareness of those injured in childbirth or living with a stoma. It’s a huge privilege to be recognised on behalf of the work of Chameleon Buddies and all those who have made our work possible.”

“I hope that in future there will be less stigma for those who have suffered like I have, and so many others.”