An agent who befriended and supported a couple where the husband was dying has been awarded the title of ‘inspirational agent’.

Hannah Gill, of Newmans in Leamington Spa, took the concept of customer service to a new realm.

She also had no idea she had even been nominated until she received the call to say she had won.

Head judge in the competition was Martyn Baum, President of the NAEA.

Hannah went to see the couple, Ray and Anna  Cave, to value their property. Shortly afterwards, Mr Cave was diagnosed with cancer and they decided not to sell after all.

However, as his condition deteriorated, they put their home back on the market.

Hannah knew the ideal applicant and the property was sold at the first viewing.

During the sales process, Mr Cave became extremely poorly and moved first into hospital and then to a hospice.

Hannah said: “During this time Mrs Cave and I became friends. I would pop in for a cuppa on the way back from appointments, take her for dinner or drop off a takeaway to make sure she was eating and give her lifts to and from the hospital when she was stuck.”

By the time of Mr Cave’s death, Hannah was so close to his widow that she helped with some of the funeral arrangements.

Hannah remains in touch with Mrs Cave: “We speak most days. She lives in Durham now and we are going for a visit in a few weeks. We often meet up to watch her son who competes in stock car racing.”

When Mrs Cave was told about Hannah’s win, Hannah said: “She cried and said I deserved it.”

The competition was run by Stephen Brown, a former estate agent who was a director of Greene & Co, and now heads up SJB Consultancy. He donated £500 to a charity of Hannah’s choice.

Both Hannah and Mrs Cave decided that the money should go to Myrton Hospice.

Hannah obviously more than stepped up to the mark, supported by her branch manager James Morton. We congratulate them.

It is moving story and EYE  would be very interested in hearing similar accounts of agents going well above and beyond the usual day to day business.