A WIRRAL woman who was inspired to fundraise after losing her brother to cancer has been recognised for her "tremendous" volunteer work.

Gina Allsop, from Oxton, spent 14 years of her life in the British Army. 

In 2019, Gina's brother, Spencer Atkinson, was diagnosed with cancer. After a short battle, he died aged 52, in April 2020.

The day before Spencer's death, Gina was riding her bike along the Wirral coastline and was knocked off, leaving her bike destroyed and her in A&E with injuries.

Speaking to the Globe, she said: "I asked Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association (SSAFA) for help and they raised the funds for a new bike for me which was incredible and I thought I'm never going to take money from charity again."

Wirral Globe: Gina has raised thousands for charityGina has raised thousands for charity (Image: Gina Allsop)

From May 1 2020 to May 1 2021 Gina cycled used the bike to fundraise for the cancer unit that helped Spencer, cycling 100 miles for each 52 weeks of the year, as he died when he was 52.

She also completed a cycling challenge and raised £10,000 to set up an art therapy class for a cancer charity.

In November 2021, Gina also published a collection of poems from people in the military, called Military Memories, with all of the proceeds going to SSAFA.

Gina added: "I was still doing crazy challenges but I kept asking the same people for money so thought to do the book to reach a different group of people."

Wirral Globe: Gina has been recognised for her charity workGina has been recognised for her charity work (Image: Gina Allsop)

Since 2021, Gina has now raised over £250,000 for military charities, including SSAFA, Care for Veterans, Sporting Force, East Lodge and Purple Warriors.

She has also worked with animal charities and mental health charities.

Gina won the Inspiration Award at the 2022 SolderingOnAwards for her "tremendous achievements".

Volunteer of the Year

More recently, on Thursday, September 21, Gina won Volunteer of the Year at the Veteran Awards at a ceremony in Bristol.

Gina said: "It's nice to be nominated but to win is crazy.

"You hear other people's stories and it’s just lovely being part of the veteran and military communities.

"You’re representing all of the other volunteers that make everything tick in these charities. So much volunteering goes on in this country and it’s the lifeblood.

"It’s just an honour to be up there and represent SSAFA, the army cadet force, and the animal charities, it was an amazing and unbelievable night."