- FABB Awards 2026 recognise outstanding staff and partners across Bolton
- 16 winners selected from more than 600 nominations at a fully sponsored awards ceremony
- Healthcare Assistant Danielle McMinn won People’s Choice Award, Debbie Dowie recognised for charitable support
Bolton’s outstanding NHS and healthcare workers have been celebrated at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s FABB Awards 2026.
The annual awards recognise the hard work and dedication of those who provide and support the delivery of outstanding care for communities across the town.
On Friday 9 October, a special, fully sponsored award ceremony was held at the Toughsheet Community Stadium to announce this year’s winners and highlight their success from the past twelve months.
16 incredible winners were chosen from more than 600 nominations. Among them was Healthcare Assistant Danielle McMinn, who won the People’s Choice Award.
Danielle was nominated for making an immeasurable difference to one family during the darkest time of their lives. Following the devastating loss of their 15-year-old son and grandson, Noah, Danielle was a source of comfort and compassion when words alone could not ease their grief.
In a message to Danielle on the night, Noah’s family said:
“There really aren’t enough words to thank you for caring for Noah with such compassion, dignity and respect. But not only just for Noah, for us as a family too.
“When our family lost Noah our lives changed forever. We were living through the worst pain a family can ever imagine, and in that moment of darkness you were there.
“You didn’t just do your job, you saw our grief, you listened when we needed to talk, you supported us when we didn’t know what we needed, and you showed us kindness when we were at our most broken. You gave us genuine compassion, we will always remember how you made us feel cared for, understood and never alone.”
This year’s Charity Supporter of the Year Award went to Debbie Dowie and Boot Out Breast Cancer. Debbie transformed her own experience of breast cancer into an extraordinary legacy for patients across Bolton.
After being diagnosed in the Sunflower Suite 17 years ago, she founded and now chairs Boot Out Breast Cancer, helping to raise more than £2 million, including more than £200,000 for Bolton’s breast services, which has funded vital equipment and improved facilities.
Professor Fiona Noden, Chief Executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Place Based Lead for Bolton, said:
“The FABB Awards is always one of our favourite events of the year, coming together to celebrate everything that makes Team Bolton so special.
“It’s wonderful to recognise the incredible work that takes place day in, day out, whether it’s face-to-face with our patients or behind the scenes. The hundreds of nominations we received were filled with examples of compassion, innovation and going above and beyond – with each and every nomination showcasing how our colleagues are making a difference.
“Congratulations to our winners and everyone who was nominated – we are so lucky to have you.”
Hundreds of people came together at the stadium’s hotel to cheer on Bolton’s NHS and partner organisations, who work together to keep people healthy and well and services running smoothly.
Hospital porter, James Tootill, won the Divisional Diamond Award for iFM Bolton, after impressing judges for his reliability, attention to detail and strong focus on quality, helping ensure the smooth running of hospital services and the experience of patients and colleagues.
His nomination said: “As a colleague with neurodivergence, James demonstrates the value of diverse strengths in the workplace, bringing consistency, determination and a strong work ethic to everything he does. He is a positive role model who promotes inclusion, inspires those around him and highlights the benefits of embracing neurodiversity across the Trust.”
Dr Niruban Ratnarajah, Chair at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Every year in the NHS we come up against more challenges, but despite that every year our colleagues continue to show up, staying true to what they believe in, and making sure that everyone who walks through our doors is treated like they’re a member of our own family.
“Tonight, we were able to celebrate our Bolton family, and we could not be prouder of everyone for making such a meaningful difference in the lives of so many people.”
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
FABB Leadership Award
Dawn Allen, Ward Manager
Greener Future Award
Endoscopy
Divisional Diamonds Award
- Corporate Services: Business Intelligence
- Community Services Division: Laura Richards, Specialist Occupational Therapist
- Families and Diagnostics Division: Claire Green, Preterm Specialist Midwife
- iFM Bolton: James Tootill, Porter
- Medicine Division: Acute Medical Unit (AMU) 1
- Surgery Division: Surgical Advanced Clinical Practitioners
Charity Supporter of the Year Award
Debbie Dowie and Boot Out Breast Cancer
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Hannah Hodson, Operational Business Manager, and Sam Kearns, Matron
Team Bolton Locality Award
Homeless and Vulnerable Adults Team
FABB Employee Award
Charlotte Rowson, Registered Nurse
Dream Team Award
Continuing Care and Care Packages (ICPS)
Quality and Safety Award
Specialist Palliative Care Emergency Department In-Reach
Digital Innovation Award (Sponsored by Altera)
Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Configuration Team
People’s Choice Award (Sponsored by Robertson)
Danielle McMinn, Healthcare Assistant
Thanks to our sponsors
This year’s FABB Awards was made possible thanks to our generous sponsors:
