Woman of Rochdale 2025
For almost 35 years, Springhill Hospice has hosted its annual Woman of Rochdale event, celebrating those women in our borough who go above and beyond for others. The rule has always been that current staff members of the Springhill Team were not eligible but this year, after dedicating 30 years of her life to Springhill Hospice, Cora Margerison-Williams finally retired. Almost instantly, nominations for her came flooding in from friends, ex-colleagues and the loved ones of patients Cora has looked after over the decades.
In spite of some hefty competition from other shortlisted nominees, Cora was indeed crowned, Woman of Rochdale 2025.
Only agreeing to attend after some gentle badgering from friends and only on the caveat she could wear her signature yellow smiley face t-shirt, and “no fancy hat!”, Cora was uncharacteristically stuck for words at the win and humble and gracious in her speech of thanks.
Cora was not only nominated for her years of work with palliative care patients at Springhill, but also her years of constant fundraising which has seen her travel the world raising money through 100’s of events. Amongst others she has completed the Manchester 10k while pushing a patient in a wheelchair, has cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and peddaled 3,500-miles from Florida to Los Angeles, raising thousands along the way in the name of charity.
Cora was presented the prestigious award by last year’s winner, Lorenza Pye of Eliza Says who won for her work with hearing impaired young people and there was a lot of love in the room for both ladies. Other shortlisted nominees included Khalda Manzoor of Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, Liz Mytton of Theatre in Flow and Asma Begum of Soul Sisters.
After the announcement of Cora’s win, hundreds of people took to Springhill’s social media accounts to comment with their joy at her win and to share their personal stories of Cora over the years.
Vicki Barnett, Springhill’s Corporate and Partnerships Fundraiser and event organiser said of Cora:
“So few people have Cora’s blend of fearlessness and selflessness and she is always 100% her true self. She would do anything for anybody and never ask for praise or recognition. Even now that she has retired, she still comes in to volunteer at the Hospice almost every day saying that this way she can spend even more time with patients. There is no one like Cora, which is a shame because if we were all a bit more Cora, the world would be a better place.”
This year’s Woman of Rochdale event raised just under £17,000 for Springhill which will fund the Hospice for 2 days and give care to even more Rochdale residents.
