A GREAT Yarmouth woman who “works tirelessly” to inspire her colleagues to return to learning was celebrating this week as she scooped a national award.

A GREAT Yarmouth woman who “works tirelessly” to inspire her colleagues to return to learning was celebrating this week as she scooped a national award.

Donna Bilyard beat 1,750 rivals to win the Unionlearn Award at the Learndirect Achievement Awards national final at the Science Museum in London.

She received the award from TV presenters Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford.

Donna said: “I'm really overwhelmed to have won not just the regional award, but the national award too. I get great job satisfaction from helping people achieve their full potential.

“It's a pleasure to work at the Unison learning centre at James Paget Hospital in Gorleston.”

Her award was for the steps she has taken to use Learndirect courses to develop her career and for how she has encouraged others to take the courses.

Since becoming a learning rep at the James Paget Hospital learning centre three years ago she has worked tirelessly to promote the learning agenda among her colleagues, co-ordinating a team of union learning representatives.

Donna also works as an education and learning co-ordinator and tutors and supports learners.

She has completed a number of courses in her free time so she can empathise with her students and give them the best learning experience possible.

After winning the regional award in Norwich on June 17, she said: “I love helping people and seeing people achieve. I love seeing the faces of people who have never had a qualification.”

Mr Holmes said: “We are both delighted to support the Learndirect Achievement Awards. We have worked with Learndirect in the past to highlight the benefits of learning and so have seen the positive impact that learning can have on adults around the country.”

Sarah Jones, chief executive of UFI, said: “Learning changes lives and at Learndirect we are passionate about helping people to develop their potential.

“Donna is an inspiration to learners across England and her commitment to developing her own and others' skills and qualifications truly deserves celebrating.”