Terry Nicholson, who lives in St Saviour, said he was ‘surprised’ but ‘chuffed’ to find out that he had won the category following last month’s event.
He had been unable to attend the event at the last minute after his seriously ill wife Anne, who he cares for, was rushed to hospital.
It was his care of Anne, coupled with his dedication to his grandson, Oliver – both of which he does while battling prostate cancer – that led to him being nominated for the award by Marina Brockbank, a friend of his daughter Emma.
Representatives of award sponsors, the Channel Islands Co-operative, visited Mr Nicholson at his home on Friday to present him with his award. They also surprised him with a hamper because he missed out on the food served at the awards ceremony.
Announcing the winner at the ceremony last month, Mark Cox, the acting chief executive of the Co-op, said it had been tough to choose just one winner but that Mr Nicholson had stood out.
He said: ‘The judges were inspired by the selfless dedication of this grandparent to his family. This grandparent stood out for his strength and caring, can-do attitude. He’s never let his own challenges get in the way of bringing love, care and laughter to his grandson, and he does all of this while caring for his wife, and battling his own health issues.’
Speaking to the JEP this week Mr Nicholson, whose wife remains in hospital, said: ‘I am very chuffed but very proud – it was not expected at all. I was very surprised. You only do what you do because it is your family.’
His daughter Julie Le Sueur said she was a single mother to Oliver and her father’s support was invaluable.
‘It always means so much to me that my dad can help me so much with Oliver, especially with my mum being so poorly. He is a superhero and Oliver’s best pal.’
She added: ‘We just wish we had been able to celebrate more as a family.’
