A Good Samaritan has been recognised for her good deeds by the Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) and the Hospitality Professionals Association (HPA) who have named her the Sunshine Award winner for the first three months of 1999.

The Bermuda Sunshine Award is issued by the two groups to the resident who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in the eyes of visitors to the Island.

Mrs. Tear, a nurse, was nominated by first time visitor Linda Griffin.

The Naples, Florida woman fell off her scooter only two hours after renting it and lay hurt and confused in the road when Mrs. Tear came by in her car.

The nurse stopped her car and sat holding Mrs. Griffin's hand until she convinced her to go to the hospital with her. She stayed with the injured woman until she received treatment and insisted she call her the next day to tell her how she was.

Mrs. Griffin had suffered several lacerations and an injured shoulder and was sent back to Florida for an operation before she could see Mrs. Tear again, although she did call as promised from the US.

Mrs. Griffith said she felt unconditional love and compassion from the nurse.

Mrs. Tear had lunch with Tourism Minister David Allen, VIP chairman Eugene Blakeney and HPA president David Kenny last Thursday at the Port of Call. She was presented with the Bermuda Sunshine Gold Pin and received a certificate for a weekend stay at the Grotto Bay Hotel for two.