PRIDE OF ST HELENS: Charity Champion nominees

Ahead of the awards next Friday, we will be sharing profiles on each category of the awards highlighting each of the nominees.

Gary Ward

GPW Recruitment boss Gary Ward has spent more than his fair share of time fundraising for a good cause.

In February Gary, after a conversation about how he could help Willowbrook Hospice, immediately came up with the idea of running Rock n Roll Bingo nights.

He has provided his time and his amazing bingo hosting skills helping the hospice raise more than £6,000.

Willowbrook said “Without Gary we couldn’t have run these evenings” September saw the return of Willowbrook’s Moonlight Walk and Gary didn’t even question supporting the evening.

He was on the decks for four hours straight pumping out the best 90s tunes for all to enjoy.

The event has currently raised in excess of £10,000.

Gary has been no stranger to fundraising over the years, in 2019 even taking part in a wrestling match against professional Rossy Rascal at an event in aid of Willowbrook.

Nicknaming himself ‘the Butcher’ Gary donned his full butcher’s outfit before taking to the ring.

His nomination read: “I can’t think of anyone who fits the description of a bighearted fundraiser better than Gary.

“Gary is one of those incredible, selfless people that just does it because it’s the right thing to do. He doesn’t want glory or recognition. The satisfaction of knowing he has helped people is enough for him.”

Emily Andrew

Suffering from seizures as early as 10 months old, Emily Andrew, from Sutton Leach, was diagnosed with epilepsy as she turned one-year-old.

Having difficulties with frequent seizures, which can last any time between 30 seconds and an hour, Emily became a regular patient at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as doctors tried to manage her epilepsy. 

With concerns about her health as she gets older, doctors agreed that the best way to move forward was through surgery, and the Eaves Primary

School pupil underwent an intense operation in April in an attempt to stop the seizures for good.

Fortunately, the surgery seems to have been a great success and after suffering from frequent and often painful seizures throughout her life, the five-year-old has now not had one in more than six months.

Due to the inspiring work of neurologists, doctors, and nurses at Alder Hey, who have always made Emily feel happy and relaxed, her family set about fundraising for Alder Hey Epilepsy Service to show their gratitude.

For a 12 month period, this included fundraising with Emily’s old nursery, Portico Mere Grange, and an incredible effort from her uncle, Karl Page, who ran a marathon every day for seven days back in January. 

In total, the family raised a huge £10,030 for the Epilepsy Service, with Emily handing over the fundraising cheque with her old nursery teachers.

Dave Howarth

DAVE Howarth has become no stranger to putting himself through gruelling challenges in aid very worthy causes.

During the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, he managed the extraordinary feat of running a 10k for 50 consecutive days, in the build up to his 50th birthday.

Then last year he finished the formidable ‘666 The Beast Challenge’.

This involved running for six miles every six hours for six days, all in aid of two causes close to his heart, St Helens Autism Support and the Steve Prescott Foundation.

This saw Dave run at 6am, midday, 6pm and at midnight every day, completing 144 miles within 144 hours.

He was inspired on the way by the memory of two friends who have passed away, including Stu ‘Pod’ Fowles and Dave Halsall.

Dave, from Dentons Green, is well-known among Saints supporters from his work for the Gerard Songsters, organising Saints’ coach travel from the

Gerard Arms pub over the years for away matches or big matches and finals at neutral venues.

Dave has also undertaken other challenges including the Manchester Marathon, and he was part of a group who undertook a Charity 24-hour 10k relay and ran six 10ks in 24hrs. 

He also cycled as part of a group who cycled to Newcastle from St Helens during the Super League Magic Weekend, in 2021.

Dave has also raised money to support the Saints Academy Tours to Australia.