Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity, has honoured its heroes at a special event at the Apothecaries Hall in London.

Marking the charity’s 175th year, the event was all about saying “thank you” to the hundreds of people who had supported it in 2016. Chief executive Diane Leicester-Hallam explained: “Every year, we see the demand for the charity’s services continue to rise. In 2016, we saw a staggering 35 per cent increase in calls, emails and livechats to our information and enquiry service. As this demand grows, so does the importance of sustainable income streams to ensure that we can continue our work.”

During the event, Ms Leicester-Hallam and Pharmacist Support chair professor Peter Noyce presented awards to the following recipients:

• Social Media Hero: Babir Malik

One of the first Pharmacist Support Ambassadors, Babir has raised nearly £4,000 through the sale of his book Pills, Thrills & Methadone Spills and Mr Dispenser GoGreen4PS pens, while also championing the charity through his many professional roles and in the online world

• Charity Champion: Michael Champion

Often seen out and about in his ‘GoGreen4PS’ wig and t-shirt, Michael ran the Liverpool and Birmingham half marathons in 2016, as well as delivering presentations on the charity’s work, hosting information stands and sacrificing himself for a sponsored chest wax

• Outstanding Achievement Award: Johnathan Laird

As a non-runner, Jonathan pledged to run 5k every day in January and increased this to 10K a day for the final few days of the month, raising £1,806 for Pharmacist Support in the process

• Unsung Hero Award: Alan Hughes

Alan has for years, quietly and without fanfare, organised numerous events to raise money for the charity. He has used his wine skills to host a number of wine tasting evenings around Wales and his consistent efforts have raised in excess of £2,000 for the charity

• Fundraising Hero: Mohammed Hussain

Known to many as ‘the King of the pharma selfie’, Mohammed helped the charity launch its 175 Hero recruitment campaign. His personal fundraising challenge was the Bradford Half Marathon, completion of which made him the individual who raised the most money in the charity’s 175th anniversary year 

• Special Recognition Award: Kirit Patel MBE

Like everyone, the charity was saddened by the news of Kirits premature passing last year. Kirit made his first valuable contribution to the charity in 2011 and subsequently took part in an epic fundraising journey across 17 countries with three friends, donating £10,000. He also launched the charity’s first employer partnership and payroll giving scheme, personally committing to match all donations made by Day Lewis Pharmacies employees in 2016

• Business Hero: Boots UK, for championing the work of Pharmacist Support in the workplace

• Go Green Hero: The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, for most funds raised during Go Green Week 2016

• Fundraising Group: The British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association, for most creative fundraising activities across the year

• Pharmacy School Hero: Robert Gordon University, for most funds raised by a pharmacy school in Great Britain.

The evening’s festivities were made possible thanks to the support of lead event sponsors Weldricks Pharmacy and Durbin & The Morgan Charitable Foundation, drinks reception sponsors Numark and Real World Analytics and media partner Communications International Group.