Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice (GBCH) eagerly awaits a top awards ceremony in September as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ruth Russell, has been shortlisted in the Charity Chair of the Year category in this year’s Third Sector Awards.

Ruth Russell became Chair of GBCH’s Board of Trustees in October 2019, just as the Hospice was about to enter one of its most challenging periods, around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ruth spearheaded the Hospice’s response to the pandemic, establishing an emergency governance structure, which prioritised business continuity and ensured that systems and processes were in place to enable oversight of the organisation’s management of risks and response.

She also led on a good governance review which enabled the Hospice to not only see its way through the pandemic, but also to demonstrate its resilience and to emerge in a stronger position than it was in before.

Ruth said: “I am delighted and very proud to have been shortlisted for this award.

“My involvement with this amazing organisation has helped to sustain me through this difficult and challenging year, and everything that I have achieved since becoming Chair has happened thanks to the hard work and selfless dedication of our incredible team.”

She added: “It is an honour and a privilege to be Chair of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, and I only hope that we can continue to improve and do better for those living with life-threatening illness in our local communities, and the people who love and care for them”.

Ruth has been praised by colleagues for going ‘over and above’ in her role as chair, and for her constant support of the entire Board, Chief Executive and managers. Leading by example, during the pandemic, she fronted part of the Hospice’s emergency appeal raising thousands of pounds for the charity.

She continues to focus on transformation, working with the Chief Executive on leading the organisation’s recovery and transformation programme. Together they are preparing the Hospice for necessary change in terms of strategy, operations and culture.

The prestigious awards ceremony will take place on 17 September at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square.