When Carole Anne Dacey was told she had been nominated for a St David Award for her years of voluntary work and her tremendous efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, she couldn't quite believe what was happening.

"I just choked! My friend had mentioned for years about putting me forward for the award, but I just didn't take her seriously," says Carole, as we sat down for a chat at the Cardiff and District Branch of the Samaritans in Ely, one of the many organisations she donates her time to.

A former auxiliary nurse who has lived in Llandough for around 40 years, Carole has been nominated in the Community Spirit category and is up against ITV Wales presenter, Ruth Dodsworth, who campaigns against coercive control and helps Wales' police forces to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

For those who aren't in the know, the St David Awards is an annual ceremony that recognises individuals, charities, and businesses across ten categories from Community Spirit to Bravery, and the First Minister's Special Award, presented by Mark Drakeford himself.

Nine awards are voted for by the public and winners receive a trophy specially made by a Welsh artist. Finalists will also be awarded a certificate and silver badge at a ceremony that takes place on April 7.

Carole gives Nub News some background about her volunteering. "I'd volunteered for many years, but after my parents died that I took on more volunteering because I wasn't looking after them anymore," says Carole. "I used to work with children in schools and help them with their reading, make pizzas, cakes and different stuff like that."

Carole has worked with the Samaritans for nearly 18 years. Here, Carole takes calls, answers text messages, and used to do face-to-face chats with people who would drop into the centre in Ely before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the Samaritans, Carole also volunteers with the Salvation Army and one project stands out most. "I love the Samaritans, but I do love working with the homeless," says Carole. "I enjoyed working on the Salvation Army's night bus in Cardiff where we would feed people, give them drinks, give them clothes. Other members would sort out accommodation for them for the night too."

But when the night bus had to close due to the pandemic, Carole started to prepare the food from home. "I had to make over 130 packed meals and breakfasts every day, and the paid workers would come to my home to pick up the cooler boxes of food to distribute," she says.

"Now, since the council has helped the homeless with providing accommodation, I'm only making about 20 meals now. You can't make people go under a roof, and some totally refuse – it's their life and their choice."

Carole explains how she found out about her St David Award nomination. "I didn't know anything about it, and it was my friend who nominated me," says Carole. "They were meant to nominate me last year, but they handed in the paperwork too late. She was working with my husband to try and find information.

"When I was told about it not so long ago, I was told to keep quiet because it was concerning the Welsh Government until the nominations were officially announced."

The same friend also put Carole forward for the Penarth Mayor's Outstanding Citizen Award last year. Cllr Ian Buckley presented Carole with the recognition in September 2021. "Mrs Dacey is a good 'Samaritan' in the best sense of the word," he said at the time.

"The amount she does for other people in her community is outstanding and her work deserves to be recognised. I do not doubt that other people's lives are enhanced greatly by what she does for them, and she is a truly outstanding citizen."

Alison Boniface, branch director at Cardiff and District Samaritans, shared her thoughts about Carole's nomination. "The good thing is that everything Carole does is voluntary, whereas some of the nominees are paid workers which puts Carole head and shoulders above the rest.

"She's [Carole's] one of the kindest people who always goes above and beyond what we need to do. It's an absolute pleasure to have her in our branch."

So, what would Carole like to do next? "Several years ago, I did do some voluntary work in the Utange Orphanage in Kenya," says Carole. "I went with my friend a few times and did some work there and it was totally amazing! A real privilege to be there and I'd love to go back and do some more voluntary work there again."