Mario wins hat-trick of awards
The proprietor of Pendine Park has won a major UK award in a remarkable hat-trick of honours.
Mario Kreft MBE, who is also the Chair of Care Forum Wales, has been named as the UK's Care Personality of the Year.
The accolade was bestowed during a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel hosted by TV personality John Sergeant, the former Political Editor of ITN.
Mario is the first person from Wales to receive the prestigious award from Caring Times magazine.
It came the day after he was named the Care Personality of the Year in Wales at the UK Over 50s Housing Weekly Awards at Central Hall Westminster, across the road from the Houses of Parliament in London.
Completing the treble was a Recognition of Achievement Award from the Welsh Government in recognition of his innovative work.It was presented by First Minister Carwyn Jones during a ceremony at Ruthin Castle.
Among the first to congratulate Mario was Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, who is also the Health Minister in Wales.
She said: " I am delighted that Mario has been honoured with this magnificent hat-trick of awards.
"This recognition for all his pioneering work and dedication for more than 25 years is richly deserved.
"Mario leads by example and is an eloquent and effective champion for social care in Wales.
"At the same time, he is lucky to have fantastic support from his colleagues at Pendine Park and Care Forum Wales while his wife, Gill, is his rock."
The sentiment was echoed by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas.
She said: "Wales can claim to be a country of firsts in many things such as the appointment of an Older People's Commissioner but this is an example of Mario in person bringing the award for the first time to Wales and it's the culmination of the good work he has led in Wales over many years."
Mario said: "These awards are also recognition for the fantastic work done by the dedicated staff of Pendine Park and Care Forum Wales and I have accepted them gladly on that basis."
