Former Kettering GP wins civic society award

A former Kettering GP has been awarded the Kettering Civic Society's Silver Rose Bowl for his humanitarian work.

Dr Peter McCormick was presented with the Bowl on Sunday, September 6 by Mayor Keli Watts.

Dr McCormick said: "It was a complete surprise, I'm not even a member of it but perhaps I ought to be now.

"About a week ago, I got an email with a letter saying I had been awarded for this year.

"Last Sunday morning, the mayor and the chairman of the Kettering Civic Society and all the trustees of my charity came."

Dr McCormick said it was a lovely day and they toasted the occasion with some champagne.

It was also Mayor Keli Watts' last engagement as mayor, and she said: "My very last engagement took place today and it was a delightful one to finish with.

"I presented the prestigious Rose Bowl, given by Kett Civic Kettering’s Civic Society to a person or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to local life. Today I awarded this prize to Peter McCormick, a retired Kettering GP and consultant who know raises money to help sick children in Africa.

"He has recently published a book of his life to help raise funds. The book is called “To Be a Pilgrim”. It was an honour to finish my civic engagements with such a delightful encounter with this marvellous man."

Dr McCormick said: "I was a GP in Kettering at Drylands Surgery for 26 years starting in January 1969 and I finished in 1995.

"I then spent a year wandering in Norway in the ice and snow and then I became president of the local Save the Children Fund."

Dr McCormick then started what he described as his "second career" in Africa treating childhood cancers.

His charity, the Beryl Thyer Trust, named for his late sister, helps to treat childhood cancers. In particular the trust focuses on Burkitt's Lymphoma, a type of cancer that causes tumours in the face.

The cancer is often treatable, but Dr McCormick said he would see parents in Cameroon unable to afford the medicine.

The Beryl Thyer Trust says just £75 can save a child.

You can find out more about Dr McCormick's charity here.

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