Selfless Joan Halkyard has been awarded the 23rd Woman of Oldham award.

The volunteer, who is associated with the Oldham Deaf Society, Oldham NHS Trust Board, and is chairman of the Saddleworth Lifeboat Guild, was crowned winner at the charity luncheon held at the White Hart, Lydgate. Over 200 guests enjoyed a three course lunch and talk from guest speaker Rev. Carol Marsden, a former vicar of St. Paul’s Church in Oldham. Over the years, the committee has raised over £116,000 for local charities. The money raised for this year’s charity, Springboard - Oldham Dementia Carers Group, will go towards a mini bus to transport more people suffering with dementia to the centre each week.