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.