Mary Brings Christmas Heroes to Downing Street

A Children’s Nurse and the Chief of Wakefield Police have been honoured as “Christmas Heroes” by the Prime Minister and Wakefield MP Mary Creagh.  Ms Creagh invited them to a reception at Downing Street to recognise those unsung heroes who work hard in our communities throughout the Christmas period to deliver key public services.   

Priscilla Whisker has been a nurse since 1980 and has worked almost every Christmas since then.  She works in the Children’s Unit at Wakefield’s Pinderfields Hospital.   

Marc Callaghan has been in the Police force for almost thirty years.  He started off as a Police constable and not only works most Christmases – but volunteers for some too!   

Priscilla Whisker said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day that I will never forget. It is brilliant to be recognised for the hard work that myself and the team at Pinderfields carry out every Christmas trying to make this time of year more bearable for the children who are ill.”  

“It was a privilege to meet Gordon Brown. He seemed genuinely interested in what I did and had only good things to say about Wakefield. I’d like to thank Mary for nominating me and making it an amazing day.”  

Chief Superintendent Callaghan said: “I had a really nice day and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  It’s nice to be recognised for not only what I do, but for what my whole team do over the Christmas period.”  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said:  “It was a pleasure to bring Marc, Priscilla and her son Ben to Westminster to meet the Prime Minister. I was humbled to meet with Christmas Heroes from around the country who do inspiring work for the benefit of others. I pay tribute to Priscilla and all her colleagues at Pinderfields who work tirelessly throughout the year to help ill children.  She is a true hero.”   “I also want to thank Marc Callaghan and all the police officers in the Wakefield division who will be working 24/7 over Christmas and New Year to keep Wakefield the safest city in West Yorkshire.”