STAFF and volunteers who strive to make a difference are in the running to receive a Seren Betsi Gold Award.

The Seren Betsi Award is presented each month to a member of staff, team or volunteer in the health board in recognition of their efforts to go above and beyond.

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said: "Staff vote for each monthly winner, but our annual overall star of the year, is selected thanks to votes from the general public."

The public now vote for one of the previous winners over the last year to win the annual award. The winner will be named at a ceremony on November 1 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

A total of 12 people have been nominated.

Among those nominated are Pat Evans, Roger Harvey and Twix and Sally Moorhouse, all Glan Clwyd Hospital, and the nurse recruitment team at Abergele.

Pat is a user involvement facilitator in cancer services across North Wales. She was recognised for setting up the North Wales Cancer Patient Forum, a voluntary group of people affected by cancer.

Robin delivers magazines and newspapers to patients staying at Abergele Hospital. He was inspired to support patients after being treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital in 2005.

Twix, a therapy dog, and her owner sally were commended for relieving stress and anxiety of patients on their weekly visits to the Ablett Psychiatric Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Twix, 12, was the first therapy dog to be used in a North Wales hospital when she first started visiting the Ablett Unit in 2010, and is credited with improving the self-esteem of patients, increasing their willingness to engage with staff.

The nursing recruitment team have nominated for their efforts in boosting staff numbers on hospital wards. The team took to social media to promote vacancies, and have streamlined the process of recruiting staff and advertising jobs.

For the full list of nominees and to vote, visit bcuhb.nhs.wales/news/bcuhb-events/seren-betsi-star-of-the-year