A Letchworth grandmother has been nominated in this year’s Comet Community Awards after taking care of a woman for three hours who had slipped on ice and fell.

The Comet: The Comet Community Awards is in its 15th year. Picture: ArchantThe Comet Community Awards is in its 15th year. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

Each year these awards recognise people in our community who go above and beyond, with healthcare assistant Valerie Small nominated for the Good Neighbour Award after showing “huge compassion” for the injured woman.

Valerie was nominated by her boss, Clare Granada.

“Back when it was snowing, freezing cold and icy, Val was at home one morning looking after her two-year-old granddaughter when she heard a noise outside,” said Clare.

“She saw out of her window that an older lady had slipped over and was lying on the cold pavement. Val rushed outside to help her.

The Comet: Our sponsors for this year's Comet Community Awards. Picture: ArchantOur sponsors for this year's Comet Community Awards. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

“Being a healthcare assistant, Val knows to be very careful to move anyone that may have hit their head or injured their back.

“Val herself has a bad back, but had no thought for herself when she crouched down to help this lady.

“She called an ambulance and waited with the lady for three hours in the cold while they waited for the ambulance to come.

“Val tried as much as she could to help the lady to make her as comfortable as possible by bringing her pillows, duvets and hot water bottles in order to try to maintain her core temperature while she was laying on the ice-covered pavement.

“I truly believe Val deserves this award as she showed huge compassion for others in doing this.

“She had no thought for herself and how it would affect her current health conditions.

“I have worked with Val for many years as a heathcare assistant and I am truly proud that she has the skills and confidence to transfer her skills from work and utilise them in the community setting in order to help other people.

Speaking about her nomination, Valerie said: “I am very proud to be nominated, but its part of my job because I work at a hospital.

“The woman is fine. She lives just down the road and her daughter came and told me that she was OK.

“Clare is my boss at work. I remember telling her about it, but she never told me anything about a nomination. Just you wait until I see her!”

To nominate someone for one of our 12 categories, visit cometcommunityawards.co.uk.