THE hard work and dedication of care workers across Oxfordshire was celebrated during a lavish ceremony at Oxford's Randolph Hotel.

Staff from The Orders of St John Care Trust gathered to mark their achievements and to give awards.

Among the winners was Angela Lindsay, who took home the award for activity co-ordinator of the year for her work at Longlands care home in Blackbird Leys.

The 38-year-old has been at the home for the past two years but has worked for the trust for the past decade.

On her award, Miss Lindsay said: "I was very nervous to be honest, I was a finalist last year but I was shocked to win it this time around.

"It's lovely for the company to give the people who work here some recognition.

"I love my job. It's not a chore and I always want the residents to try out new activities."

The Didcot resident organises a variety of activities for residents, including volunteering in local schools, coffee mornings, sing-a-longs and day trips out.

She added: "If I can make someone smile then it will definitely be worth it."

Miss Lindsay was not the only employee of Longlands care home, in Balfour Road, to take home a prize at Thursday's ceremony.

Colleague Martina Kurmeta won carer of the year award while Cristina Tanasescu took the award for office/support employee of the year.

Mrs Tanasescu said: "I definitely didn't expect this. When they called out my name I was so shocked.

"It is always nice to see when everyone appreciates your work.

"It can be very busy in here but I just try to answer everyone with a nice smile and a hello."

The unsung hero award was jointly won by Jane Hayhoe from Oxlip St Edmunds and Kumba Kumbally from Langford View in Bicester.

Langford View home manager Farida Tales said: "Kumba is so calm, very caring, and she will always go miles to help residents.

"She said to me after the awards how thankful she was to be given the chance to work here because she had not been thanked like that before for her work."

Other award nominees included young carer of the year, which went to Kerri Crawford from Madley Park House in Witney; leader of the year to Emma Watt from Langford View; the hospitality award to Prissana Ramsey from the Meadows in Didcot; and volunteer of the year to Fiona Davis from the Old Station House in Abingdon.

It is the fifth year the trust has held its own awards ceremony, and more than 50 staff members from the trust's 17 homes in the county congregated at the famous hotel.

More than 30 employees also received certifications for completing qualifications, while six were given long service awards for working 30 years at the trust.