A FRONTLINE Ebola worker from North Yorkshire has been named a Woman of the Year at a national awards ceremony.

Grandmother Cokie van der Velde, of Whixley, worked as a sanitation expert with Medecins sans Frontieres in the Democratic Republic of Congo when the Ebola outbreak was declared, then Guinea, and eventually Liberia.

She was working with MSF to dispose of the victims’ bodies in Liberia and Guinea, when the virus was at its most infectious.

Yesterday Cokie was one of six exceptional women who received special Women of the Year Awards for inspiring others with their courage, selflessness and dedication.

There were familiar faces among the attendees at the London awards ceremony, with guests including Nadiya Hussain, Professor Mary Beard, Mel Giedroyc, Dame Esther Rantzen, Meera Syal and Baroness Floella Benjamin.

Cokie said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award. Never could we have imagined, in the height of outbreak, to come this far. And I must add that my contribution was only possible as part of the much larger Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors without Borders (MSF) team – made up of international staff like me and many courageous national staff who continue to help keep Ebola under control.

“It is particularly fitting, I think, to receive this accolade for and from women. Ebola hit women in West Africa especially hard, as they are often the ones caring for the sick in their families and communities. I met and worked alongside many incredible women during the Ebola outbreak and I want to share this honour with all of them too, as recognition for their dedication and bravery.”

Cokie, who is in her fifties, has travelled to 14 countries working on infectious disease projects. Before joining she taught science and outdoor education in North Yorkshire.

The ceremony was hosted by Women of the Year President, Sandi Toksvig and the awards were introduced by actress Nicole Kidman, comedian Jo Brand, Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor, newscaster Julie Etchingham and broadcaster Lorraine Kelly.

Jane Luca, chair of women of the year, said: “In a year when the world has faced the most devastating epidemic of our generation, this year’s Barclays Women of the Year Award goes to a woman who has quite literally been on the front line of the fight against Ebola. A nurse and grandmother from Yorkshire, she has repeatedly ignored her own safety to doggedly carry out her vital work in Africa with Medecins Sans Frontiers. She insists she isn’t a heroine for what she does. We beg to differ.”