An 81-year-old nurse who started her career when she was 17 and still volunteers has been awarded the British Empire Medal by King Charles. Christine Culleton BEM from New Inn in Pontypool has dedicated her whole life to helping others.
Ever year, the honours system recognises people who have either made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. A list is issued at New Year and on the King's official birthday, which is this weekend.
Ms Culleton received her BEM for her services to the NHS in south-east Wales. According to Christine, she was “honoured” to receive the award.
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At the age of 17, Christine started her nursing career as a cadet nurse at Chepstow Community Hospital in Monmouthshire. She then worked in community and hospital settings, before progressing to the rank of a ward and community sister.
Having always shown a commitment to ensure patient care of a high standard, Christine has garnered the admiration and respect by both patients and colleagues alike over the years. She became a mentor to both student nurses and newly qualified staff.
Remarkably, she continued to nurse into her late 70s, and by now, is still working within a community team two or three days a week, despite having two hip replacements. In March 2022, she won the Aneurin Bevan Staff Special Recognition Award.
When asked what was her driving force throughout the years, Christine said: "I think the drive has to be inside of you. It’s just the way you are. We’ve had good and bad days, but days are never the same and that’s the beauty of this job."
Christine will join different people all over Wales that have made various contributions to our communities and society. When asked how she felt about making it onto the honours list, she said: “I’m honoured and it’s lovely, but I don’t feel I deserve it. I’ve been lucky in the fact that I’ve had a job that I loved from the first day.
"Don’t get me wrong, there have been difficult days, you wake up in the morning and think: ‘Oh gosh, do I have to go to work?’. But overall, I’ve truly loved this job. Once you have that uniform on, you’re on your way."
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