A Blackwood nurse who dedicated more than 40 years of her life to the profession has been honoured posthumously for her work by the Welsh Government.
Julia Styles, who was awarded an MBE for her nursing work this year, sadly passed away in March this year aged 60 but was honoured by the Welsh Government in its “Recognising Achievement for Service to Wales” awards.
Mrs Styles’ family of husband Granville Styles and sons Paul, 37, Steven, 35 and Andrew, 33, accepted the award on her behalf.
The nurse was not the only person from Caerphilly County Borough to be honoured at the awards ceremony – held on December 5 at Cardiff’s Swalec Stadium.
Matthew Pinnell is area director of Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and sits on the Caerphilly Safeguarding Children Board.
Mr Pinnell was given an award for his work in developing a Child and Adolescent Welfare Assessment Checklist used by professionals to help vulnerable children who are witness to domestic abuse by parents.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said of the awards: “Wales is a small country but we are now recognised on both nationally and internationally in our own right and there is an increasing pride in being Welsh and a desire for Wales to recognise and celebrate the good things that happen here.
“The Welsh Government has established this scheme to do just that. The individuals who I have presented these awards to make me proud of Wales and the recognition they receive is richly deserved.”