A woman who spent three decades dedicating her life to hospice care has been named Woman of Rochdale 2025.
Cora Margerison-Williams, who only recently retired after 30 years at Springhill Hospice, received the borough’s most prestigious award for women in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to others both as a palliative care nurse and tireless fundraiser.
Previously ineligible due to her role as a staff member at the hospice, Cora became eligible after stepping down from her post. What followed was a groundswell of public support. The hospice was inundated with nominations from patients’ families, former colleagues, and friends who had witnessed first-hand her impact.
Despite stiff competition, Cora’s name was called at the annual Woman of Rochdale luncheon. It was a moment that left the usually upbeat and talkative Cora uncharacteristically lost for words.
A signature smiley face t-shirt firmly chosen over any traditional ‘fancy hat’ was her only request for the event, which raised nearly £17,000 for the hospice, enough to fund its operations for two full days.
Springhill’s corporate and partnerships fundraiser Vicki Barnett, who organised the event, described Cora as a rare force of nature. “So few people have Cora’s blend of fearlessness and selflessness,” she said. “Even now she’s retired, she still volunteers almost every day just so she can spend more time with the patients.”
Cora’s contributions go far beyond her nursing role. She has raised thousands of pounds for the hospice through a string of ambitious and often gruelling fundraising challenges. These include running the Manchester 10k while pushing a patient in a wheelchair, cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and an astonishing 3,500-mile bike ride across the United States from Florida to Los Angeles.
She was presented the award by 2024’s winner Lorenza Pye, founder of Eliza Says, who was honoured for her work supporting hearing-impaired young people.
Other nominees for this year’s title included community leaders and creatives from across the borough: Khalda Manzoor from Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, Liz Mytton of Theatre in Flow, and Asma Begum of Soul Sisters.
The public response to Cora’s win was instant and heartfelt. Social media channels lit up with messages of congratulations, personal stories, and memories of kindness from those she had cared for or inspired.
The Woman of Rochdale title, awarded by Springhill Hospice since 1991, recognises the women whose influence, passion and determination have made a significant impact on the borough. This year’s recipient, according to many, was long overdue.
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