Inspirational Farah wins Retail Colleague of the Year at the Proud to be Asda awards
Everyone at our Bradford store is so proud of their inspirational colleague Farah Akhtar who's been named Retail Colleague of the Year in the Proud to be Asda Awards.
Eighteen months ago 34-year-old Farah, who is bakery section leader, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. But she was determined to fight it every step of the way and has now been given the all-clear.
Store manager Gary Danvers, who nominated Farah for the award, said: "Farah is an outstanding colleague and a credit to Asda. When she was diagnosed with early stages of pancreatic cancer she never changed what she did in store to support everyone, every day.
"Despite all what she was going through her true passion for the store shone through. She never wanted to let her colleagues, customers or the store down.
"One of many examples of this was during her first chemotherapy when she came into work because she didn't want her colleagues having to take on extra work with her not being there. Farah kept a positive attitude in work and never let her illness get in the way. I cannot put into words how much courage Farah has."
Farah, who has worked at the store for 13 years, said: "I had my good days and my bad days but Gary was always there to support me. He was my rock. If I needed anything he was there for me.
"I love my job, but it's not really a job. It's like a home and we are all family here. Everyone looks out for each other."