Loughborough College lecturer is nominated for a Pride of Britain Award

The star-studded final will be held in London at the end of the month.

Restaurant lecturer Sally Anderson who won the regional prize for raising money to support people undergoing chemotherapy will now progress to the National Pride of Britain Awards.

She won the East Midlands Fundraising Award in recognition of raising more than £275,000 for the cancer charity she founded, GEMS.

GEMS has raised money to improve cancer care facilities at the Leicester Royal Infirmary by refurbishing the day rooms where patients get their treatment and helping to install a café.

Sally said: “I feel very flattered and humbled to have won the award. Fundraising for GEMS is not just down to me. We all work voluntarily - my family, friends, trustees and volunteers – and work very hard. I couldn’t do it without them. We also couldn’t achieve what we do without everyone who supports GEMS - so this award is for everyone involved with GEMS. I am so pleased the award will raise the profile of the charity.”

The charity was named in tribute to four of Sally’s close friends who she supported through cancer treatment it was during this time that she noticed the lack of comfortable facilities for chemotherapy patients at the hospital.

GEMS’ next project is a £500,000 extension to the chemotherapy suite at the Leicester Royal.