Donna Williams

Nominated by Adrian Goodwin

As a hospice nurse, Donna Williams supports people through the toughest times of their lives. Yet somehow, she is never short of a smile.

Donna has been nursing in Sussex for the past 16 years. Based at St Catherine’s Hospice, she is known for her care and compassion. Her role is to bring dignity to the final days, weeks and months of a person’s life, visiting them in their homes and chatting to them on the phone. She also helps patients’ families, making them feel a lot less alone.

Donna balances her busy job with being a mother of two young children. Sometimes working up to 14 hours a day, she never seems to run out of energy and never complains. In fact, Donna sees helping people as a gift and a privilege. Whether she is offering expert medical care or just sitting quietly with a sick person in need of company, her calm and gentle presence makes a big difference.

This incredible nurse has never looked for thanks or recognition — she just loves what she does. Yet it is people like Donna who make Brighton & Hove a kinder, more compassionate city.