THE shortlist for the Pride of St Helens Awards 2024 – sponsored by the Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group – has been revealed.
Names on the list include stars of the stage and sports field, unsung heroes, community assets and people who have shown immense courage.
This year, Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium will again be turned into the glittering venue for the awards ceremony, which will take place on Friday, November 22.
It will be the twelfth time the event has been held, with the inaugural ceremony in 2012.
Once again, the support and sponsorship from local businesses and organisations is pivotal to the event going ahead.
The shortlist has been selected by judges after Star readers put forward their nominations.
Among those shortlisted are brave-hearted youngsters Charlie Stuchberry and Teighan Whitfield, West End actress Olivia Holding, Earlestown band The Ks, veteran racing driver Andy Middlehurst and a group of emergency workers who saved three-year-old Ayda Kenny from drowning.
Three schools – Rainford CE Primary, Allanson Street and Bleak Hill Primary – are vying for the school of the year award, while the headline Pride of St Helens category sees St Helens Carers Centre & Young Carers, St Helens Darts Academy and St Helens RLFC Women in the running.
A special supplement will run in the St Helens Star ahead of the event, explaining the stories of each nominee. The decision on the winners and the highly commended will be made by a panel of judges.
Andrew Kilmurray, editor of the St Helens Star, added: “Stories of courage, talent, generosity, achievement against the odds, and ordinary people doing the extraordinary are the essence of these awards.
“This was again reflected in the nominations, which made it a really difficult job for the judges.
“Pride of St Helens has been running since 2012, so it’s a testament to the people of St Helens that, as a town, we continue to produce individuals and organisations of such high calibre.
“We really do have a rich seam of talent – people who live in the St Helens borough or who have grown up here and then spread their wings to achieve extraordinary things – and many unheralded people who are the beating heart of our town and deserve their moment in the spotlight.”
Martin Blondel, general manager of the SPF, said: “In 2012, when these awards were founded Steve Prescott wanted to create a truly spectacular celebration of what is best about St Helens and to raise aspiration and self-belief among people across the borough.
“That continues to be our mission – this will be a night of inspiration and positivity that stirs the emotions and lifts the spirits.”
Shortlist of nominees
St Helens Flooring Arts Award
Louie Gray
Olivia Holding
The Ks
Brendon International Charity Champion
Sarah and Paul Cardwell
Rainhill Gala
Luke Grounds
Lanny Man Child Of Courage Award
Charlie Stuchberry
Teighan Whitfield
Torus Community Business Hero
Stephen Lee Baines
Eddie & Helen Hoffman
Simon Hood
Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action - Community Impact Award
Buzz Hub (CDP)
Standing Tall Foundation
Town in the Town
Paramount Digital Courage Award
PCs and nurse who rescued Ayda Kenny
Abigail Sharp
Barbara Smith
Swindells Roofing Pride of Place Award
Friends of Victoria Park
Park Farm Community Centre
World of Glass
JC Kitchens School of the Year
Allanson Street
Bleak Hill Primary
Rainford CE Primary
Saints Sportsperson of the Year Award
Kai Birch
Faye Gaskin
Andy Middlehurst
St Helens Borough Council Young Sportsperson of the Year
Hayden Battle
Beri Salihi
Lewis Shaw
Handepay Unsung Hero Award
Kathleen Howard
David O’Dowd
Steve Pearce
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Pride of St Helens Award
St Helens Darts Academy
St Helens RFC Women
St Helens Carers Centre & Young Carers
On the evening, a Special Achievement Award, sponsored by RJG Architecture, will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to St Helens.
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