Local resident Maggie Hardy was surprised but delighted to be invited to attend the Women of the Year awards in London after being nominated for her outstanding commitment to improving health care across Purbeck in Dorset.
The annual awards, which are run by volunteers to celebrate and advance the achievement of women across the UK and globally, took place at the Royal Lancaster hotel opposite Hyde Park on Monday 13th October 2025.
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Maggie Hardy
Maggie Hardy arriving at The Royal Lancaster hotel in London
A lifetime helping others
Maggie’s nomination to attend the prestigious event was put forward by former colleague and Poole Hospital consultant Jonathan Scott for her dedication to the healthcare sector in both a professional and voluntary capacity.
As chair of the Friends of Wareham Hospital, founding member of the Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership, former Swanage Hospital manager and qualified nurse, Maggie has spent a lifetime helping others.
She’s also a key member and former president of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary, regularly at the forefront of fundraising for good causes and organising events.
But this was one event where she could sit back and enjoy the day, without worrying whether a gazebo was about to blow away!
Maggie Hardy
Maggie Hardy was recognised for her dedication to the healthcare sector in both a professional and voluntary capacity
“I was honoured to attend”
Maggie Hardy said:
“Those nominated to attend weren’t able to take a guest, so we all walked in and had to start conversations among ourselves, which was a great idea as we all began to socialise and network.
“It was a really diverse group of about 400 women from different backgrounds. I was honoured to attend and it was lovely to be part of it.
“Lots of us were a bit surprised to be there and unsure of exactly why we had been nominated. One woman on my table had set up a netball team and said she didn’t work as she had three children, but we all told her that everything she was doing was just great.
“It was good to celebrate women and their achievements, especially when women don’t always get acknowledgement for what they do.”
Liz Isles Photography
Among those celebrated were the England Women’s Football team
Liz Isles Photography
Mel Giedroyc who hosted the event with president of the Women of the Year Tanni Grey-Thompson
Mel Giedroyc hosted the event
The Women of the Year Awards started off with welcome drinks and canapes followed by speeches from comedian Mel Giedroyc who hosted the event, and the president of the organisation, the athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson.
There was then a two course lunch followed by the Women of the Year Awards ceremony.
All those invited had been nominated for their achievements but a special spotlight was shone on six individuals who received awards.
Liz Isles Photography
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly presents the Trailblazer Award to Sarah Harrison
Liz Isles Photography
Many women were celebrated including six who received awards
Winners 2025Game Changer Award: Jane Byam Shaw OBE – Trustee for The Felix Project. For her exceptional contribution to tackling food waste and supporting those in need across LondonWoman in Education Award: Louisa Mitchell MBE – CEO of AllChild. For delivering community-led support for children and families across West LondonCampaigner for Health Equity Award: Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan – NHS Consultant in sexual health and HIV medicine. A researcher and advocate for equity in sexual health and HIVWomen in Sports Innovation Award: Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE – Former England cricketer and director of Women’s cricket at SurreyPioneering Woman of the Year: Jaz Rabadia MBE – Sustainability leader and advocate for women in STEMTrailblazer Award: Sarah Harrison – Founder of Sarah’s Star, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by incurable and life-limiting illnesses
Maggie Hardy
Dame Grey-Thompson poses for a picture with Maggie Hardy
Maggie Hardy
Kate Garraway and Arlene Phillips in the very posh toilets of the Royal Lancaster!
“There were Dames, CBEs, OBEs, MBEs, CEOs, actors, and professors everywhere I looked”
Maggie said:
“One thing that struck me was how young many of the women were and how much they had achieved already. Most were in their 30s, 40s and 50s, so as an over 70 I was in the minority!
“I took the opportunity to talk to others on my table about Rotary and have already had an email from someone interested in becoming a Rotarian in the Putney area.
“I also spoke in depth about defibrillators with another table companion who was keen to get some in her area of Edgeware in London.
“There were Dames, CBEs, OBEs, MBEs, CEOs, actors, and professors everywhere I looked. I met so many influential and well known ladies – some I recognised but didn’t know their names, much to the angst of my daughter Elizabeth who kindly came with me to London to make sure I got there!
“Among those I spotted were Baroness Lawrence, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Carol Vorderman and Tamsin Outhwaite, as well as broadcaster Kate Garraway and choreographer Arlene Phillips who I bumped into in the ladies loo!
“Sitting next to me was Suada Mohamoud who had set up an award event similar to the women of the year for Muslim women in London.
“This got me thinking and I’m now wondering whether we should do something to celebrate women in Purbeck!?”
Liz Isles Photography
Around 400 women were invited to the awards in acknowledgement of their achievements
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