An inspirational nurse at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary has been given a special award by the University of Cumbria.
Cherish Otoo received the Spirit of Cumbria prize, which is awarded by the University of Cumbria to students who exemplify its values in being Progressive, Personal and Engaged and are exceptional role models in and outside of the university.
The award will be given to Cherish during her graduation ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral, where she celebrated completing her Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust.
Related: INTERVIEW: We talk to double award-winning Morecambe nurse Cherish Otoo
Speaking after the ceremony, Cherish said: ‘’I think I’ve been very open and honest about my University experience and working through the pandemic.
‘’I’ve always promoted the good, the bad and the ugly about nursing and studying, and I hope that’s inspired many more like-minded people who thought they couldn’t do (something like this) that they can.
‘’Two years of the course was through the pandemic but when we did finally get back, all together, doing our nursing with the tutors was fantastic.
‘’During the pandemic I was redeployed to intensive care. It was very sad and there was a lot of end of life care there. I remember a gentleman who was a member of the Muslim community, and to ensure his final wishes were met was a real poignant part of my training. That really stuck with me and paved my practice in nursing.
Cherish was one of the first people in the UK to enrol and qualify as a nurse through the University of Cumbria’s Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship programme, when it launched in 2018.


Lancaster festival headlined by Tinchy Stryder is cancelled
LISTEN: How Pride in Place team hope to make difference in West End of Morecambe
Cat charity speaks out after nine kittens "in bad way" found by roadside in Morecambe
Council condemns fly tippers after multiple incidents across Lancaster district
Carnforth man who broke neck in swimming pool accident flown home after £150K appeal
Lancaster Farms prison to gain 240 extra places as part of national expansion programme
Lancaster comic Jon Richardson returning home for theatre show
Three arrests after cars stolen from house and pharmacy break-in near Lancaster
Firefighters tackle vehicle fire on Bay Gateway
Morecambe's lifeboat crew respond to report of person shouting for help
"Massive explosions" amid fire on Morecambe industrial estate
LISTEN: Friends' new social group is bringing women together in Morecambe
Lancaster schoolgirl, eight, takes campaign to save bees to Westminster
Motorbike rider taken to hospital with serious injuries after crash at Carnforth
LISTEN: Morecambe coffee shop owner thanks community for support after break-in
Appeal after vandals spray graffiti on new Lancaster public bins
Lancaster footballer Scott McTominay has successful heart op
Two new jobs announced at Eden Project Morecambe
Building society in Morecambe’s West End to close
LISTEN: How Rajah the elephant came home

