Felixstowe: Care worker Carl thrilled after scooping national honour

CARE worker Carl Martin was left absolutely staggered but thrilled today after winning a national award.

Mr Martin received the honour, for being the country’s top co-ordinator of care home activities at the prestigious Great British Care Awards.

He was nominated by the communications team at housing provider Anchor, who run the care home where he works, after seeing articles in the Felixstowe Star.

Today he revealed that he hadn’t expected to win at all – and thought the pre interview with the judging panel had gone badly.

“I didn’t think it had gone well at all,” said Mr Martin, 26, who co-ordinates activities at The Firs, Grange Road, Felixstowe, and qualified for the nationals after winning the East of England award last year.

“I was not expecting to win anything so thought I would just go along and have a fun night out.

“When they announced my name I was totally shocked. It was unbelievable.

“It is just amazing, wonderful – I think it was the happiest and proudest moment of my life.

“The award is for the home, too – the residents who do all the activities and the staff because everyone works so hard and there are so many unsung heroes here.”

The award was presented at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard with entertainment from the Chippendoubles from Britain’s Got Talent.