The C+D Awards return for their 18^th year on September 11 2025 at the London Hilton Park Lane, and we are delighted to celebrate all the shortlisted community pharmacy professionals and the excellence they bring to the sector.

There are coveted categories like Community Pharmacist of the Year and Independent Pharmacy of the Year returning alongside recent additions like Trainee Pharmacist of Year.

And new for 2025, we have added a Pharmacy Technician of the Year award to reflect the increasing importance pharmacy technicians are playing in the world of community pharmacy.

Read more: Chemist+Druggist Awards 2025

But C+D also has an Unsung Hero Award which is voted for by the public – with voting closing soon on August 1.

The category has 10 nominations of those who have gone above and beyond in their work.

You can only vote for one entry, and on this page you can read each nominee’s story before clicking ‘vote now’ on one of their profiles.

Read more: Who won at the C+D Awards 2024?

It’s quick and easy – you’ll be taken to the voting system where you add your name and email address and then have the option to choose between the 10 nominees.

Here is a brief recap of this year’s hopefuls and why they have been nominated for this category…

Olgia Nastas, Pearl Chemist Limited

Olgia has achieved all her branch targets, qualified as an independent prescriber (IP) and taken on major leadership roles including primary care network (PCN) Lead Pharmacist for three South West London PCNs in the past year.

But this recognition isn't about a single standout moment; it's about the sustained, behind-the-scenes work required to lead change, support colleagues, and enhance patient care. Read more here.

Shilpa Shah, North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee

Shilpa was awarded a Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) fellowship a year ago but has vast volunteering experience both in and outside of pharmacy.

She is a director of branch operations at the Samaritans covering London, the South and the Southeast regions which can often take up to 20 hours a week as well as being an ambassador for Pharmacist Support and volunteering as a pharmacist for over 10 years for Crisis at Christmas. Read more here.

Whitehouse Pharmacy led by Carol Haycock

Carol led the team that saved three lives within four weeks at Whitehouse Pharmacy with these emergencies highlighting not only her skill as a healthcare professional, but her ability to lead in exceptional circumstances and remain calm under pressure.

While Carol was instrumental in the positive outcomes in all three scenarios, she is keen for her team to be recognised equally as on each occasion they worked together seamlessly to ensure patient safety under extreme, life-threatening conditions. Read more here.

Rowlands Pharmacy - Rhos on Sea

A devastating fire ravaged the Rhos on Sea Rowlands Pharmacy on August 21 last year and caused severe damage to the branch, rendering it unfit for service.

Yet, less than a month later, this same pharmacy was able to reopen its doors after operating from a portacabin during the refurbishment, with the swift recovery a testament to the hardworking team and reflection of the deep community commitment shown by everyone involved. Read more here.

Nicola McMurray, Cadbury Heath Pharmacy & Health Clinic

Nicola handled two emergencies unfolding simultaneously during one locum shift while managing the pharmacy and supporting her team under pressure.

First, she safeguarded a vulnerable patient who used the ANI code word to signal domestic abuse and acted with personal risk to ensure their safety. She then responded moments later to another distressed patient whose partner was suffering a stroke, calmly arranging emergency help. Read more here.

Caroline Steels, Superdrug Gorleston

Caroline acted swiftly and decisively when a patient walked into the pharmacy after being stung by a wasp on her neck - she was allergic to wasp stings but did not have an Epipen.

The patient's shaking was getting worse, so Caroline called for an ambulance and administered an Epipen, before the patient’s symptoms worsened again. The incident saw Caroline give the patient another Epipen shot under 999 advice – her quick thinking and actions meant the patient didn’t need to go to hospital after the ambulance team checked her over. Read more here.

Mohammad Azizyan, Abtrace

Mohammad was working as a primary care pharmacist in a GP surgery when he took an end-of-day telephone consultation with a patient complaining of excessive vaginal bleeding that had been ongoing for a week.

After further investigating, Mohammad thought the patient could have been suffering a miscarriage and made an urgent referral to the gynaecology clinic – a week later, he followed up with her and helped her find where to access mental health and bereavement services. Read more here.

Tamara Lupton, Montu

Tamara is the glue that holds the team together and works quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes, never seeking the spotlight.

She’s a humble leader and ensures every patient receives their medication safely and on time, helps colleagues through difficult shifts and remains a compassionate and patient-centred carer. Read more here.

Clare Risdon, Pinhoe Pharmacy

Clare is a dispenser and medicines counter assistant (MCA) and leads the team from the front counter but has also taken on extra dressings and wound management training to help patients and do first aid.

This year, a lady fell, knocked her head and became unconscious in the pharmacy but Clare did CPR to resuscitate the lady and saved her life - one reason of many as to why 5-star google reviews for the pharmacy name her personally. Read more here.

Lorraine Ferguson, Peak Pharmacy

Lorraine keeps staff morale high and often does a “working lunch” to do stock checks and keep on top of the dispensary or continue her voluntary litter picking in the area she lives in.

But her caring nature is demonstrated no better than when a patient who couldn’t be contacted by phone needed to pick up controlled medication when the pharmacy was closed. Lorraine dropped by their house before bringing them to the pharmacy for the medication and then took them home as they had no access to transport or money. Read more here.

Who will you vote for? Cast your vote here before Friday August 1.