A CARER who is an inspiration to her colleagues is our first nominee for the Carer of the Year award.

Sandra Gander, from Woodingdean, Brighton, has been described by her work friends as someone who brings an unmatched level of professionalism to her job.

As well as being the ultimate professional she also manages to treat all the people she supports as individuals.

She works at Bupa’s Dean Wood nursing home in Warren Road, Woodingdean.

She is always willing to go that extra mile and has been hailed as an inspiration and a role model to less experienced carers.

Sandra looks after elderly people suffering from dementia and she goes above and beyond the call of duty every hour of the day.

The tireless work of carers often goes unnoticed. Last year the Carer of the Year category at The Argus Community Stars Awards was won by Di Bacon.

Mrs Bacon is a full full-time carer to her husband Les who suffered a severe stroke 18 years ago, leaving him confined to his bed.

She is also battling her own life-threatening illness, a cyst on her brain, but remains devoted to her beloved husband. So much so she only takes ten hours off a week.

Also nominated last year was Jo Evans, from Rotherfield, who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of elderly residents in her community.

She founded the Rotherfield St Martin Charity which aims to provide ongoing care and social support for elderly residents to tackle isolation and loneliness.

Maria Davey was our final nominee last year. She was recognised for her work setting up a tea club in a bid to help the elderly with loneliness.

She founded the Deans Senior Tea Club in November 2013 to provide somewhere safe and fun for seniors to meet, chat, play games and enjoy refreshments.

The club now has up to 45 regular members.