A DELPH grandfather was honoured at a special awards ceremony for dedicating more than 30 years to The Christie.
Jan Wieringa, 57, received his award at the specialist cancer centre’s annual long service awards from guest of honour BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull.
Jan, a husband, dad and doting granddad to Poppy and Jake, started his Christie career in the medical physics department as a technician and after developing his career is now medical engineering manager.
He said: “Our fundamental role is to manage and maintain the medical equipment in The Christie, the University Hospital of South Manchester and Withington Community Hospital.
“Technology has changed beyond recognition during the last 30 years, with most medical devices having become much more complex in design and operation with an ever increasing focus on patient safety.
“I have been employed by The Christie since January 1983 and looking back, the time has flown by. I’ve spent more than half my life in the medical field and it’s been a truly enjoyable career.”
Bill Turnbull, who has been in Manchester since the BBC moved to Media City, is a valued supporter of The Christie and has hosted a charity luncheon to raise funds.
He said: “The Christie is an organisation that inspires loyalty, commitment and pride, and all of these traits were represented wonderfully by the long service recipients today.
“Each of them brings something special to their role, whether as a member of staff or volunteer, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with such caring and dedicated individuals.”
Over 57 members and staff and volunteers were recognised at the event, collectively dedicating more than 1,200 years to The Christie.
Interim chief executive Roger Spencer said: “It makes us very proud to recognise the long–standing support and hard work of so many of our staff and volunteers.
“That level of continuity is vital in helping us progress our services and our patients benefit massively from their dedication. They all thoroughly deserve this recognition.”
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