The shortlist can now be revealed for the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards!

The shortlist can now be revealed for the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards!

Everyone named will be honoured at a glittering awards ceremony at The Grand in Southport on Friday, 28th April 2023.

There was an overwhelming response with over 1,200 nominations from people in #Southport, #Formby, #Crosby, #Bootle, #Maghull and elsewhere in the borough in 13 different categories.

The Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport. The ceremony will be hosted by In Demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo and TV presenter Fraser Dainton, with entertainment from singer Kelly Bond and the band Soul Train. Southport BID is sponsoring the drinks reception at the event.

Money raised on the night will go towards the ICU Steps charity and The Steve Prescott Foundation.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Chairman Andrew Mikhail said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to nominate some truly special people from across Sefton for our first ever Pride Of Sefton Awards. We were overwhelmed with the response. The judging panel had an extremely difficult task putting together a shortlist from over 1,200 suggestions.”

“The Pride Of Sefton Awards night at The Grand will be a really special night celebrating our local heroes who every day go above and beyond to help others. We are really looking forward to it.”

Stand Up For Southport owner, Andrew Brown said: “It has been very humbling to read so many stories of people and organisations going above and beyond to make a real difference to our community.”

“We started these awards to really shine a light on the unsung heroes who do so much.”

“This event wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors, we would like to thank everyone who has made it happen.” 

This year’s shortlist is: 

1 – Main Award – Pride of Sefton (sponsored by The Grand) 

The night’s premier award will salute a person or organisation who judges believe has made a truly inspiring or outstanding contribution to Sefton over the past two years.

- David and Ann Cobham, Botanic Gardens Community Association

- Dr Karen Groves MBE, Queenscourt Hospice

- Kath Wilson, Southport Lifeboat 

2 – Diversity and Inclusion Award (sponsored by Sefton Council) 

Sefton is a truly welcoming borough. We’d love to hear about those who have gone out of their way to promote diversity and inclusion within our area.

- Arden Cafe

- Debbie-Lyn Connolly-Lloyd 

- Rebecca Woods, St Nicholas Primary School 

3 – Sefton Arts Award (sponsored by Fitton Estates) 

Sefton wants to shout loud and proud about those who have achieved remarkable things in the world of stage, screen, and music. We want to hear about bright young things and those who have made it to the very top.

- Hilda Blomley 

- Lee Mack 

- Mark Thompson 

4 – Charity Champion Award (sponsored by Communication Plus) 

Charities local and nationally survive and thrive on the cash raised by big-hearted fundraisers. And they have really needed it in these tough times. We don’t just want to hear who has raised the most, but how they have done it, what difference has it made and why it has inspired you.

- John Curd 

- Simon Davies 

- Kevin Dunne 

5 – Child of Courage Award (sponsored by Southport Pleasureland) 

We are searching for nominees who have shown immense courage in the face of adversity. Courage comes in different shapes – is it a child who has battled illness, performed an act of bravery or done something truly remarkable while up against the odds?

- Jessica Dowle 

- Theo Graham 

6 – Courage Award (sponsored by Lloyds Bank) 

Many tales of the heroism, courage or bravery of people from Sefton go untold – and we’d like to change that. Nominees could have performed a dramatic rescue or maybe they’ve overcome illness or injury to record inspiring achievements.

- Josh Cropper 

- David Jessop, Naomi Williams and Leanne Szabo, Birkdale Primary School 

- Adele Roberts 

7 – Unsung Hero Award (sponsored by Exceptional Care & Think Tank Academy) 

Tell us about the person who makes a huge difference to our borough’s communities, organisations or teams but who rarely gets a spot in the limelight.

- Ken Rouse 

- Dave Smith 

- Juliet Weston 

8 – Community Impact Award (sponsored by Forth Homes) 

Which person or organisation has had the biggest positive impact on their community? How have they made Sefton a better place or helped people? Have they used their heart as well as their business head to serve their area?

- Jonathan Cunningham 

- Sean’s Place 

- Sefton Baby Baskets 

9 – Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Westcoast Workwear and Embroidery) 

Whose achievements in the sporting arena have been the brightest over the past two years?

We want nominations from all sporting fields – from amateurs to professionals, and from coaches to players.

- Alex Rigby 

- Mia Smith 

- Southport RFC Ladies Team 

10 – Young Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by DT Hughes) 

Which of Sefton’s sporting juniors have recorded the biggest achievement? In a borough with so much talent we would expect a deluge of entries. Tell us who stands out? (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by 1st March.)

- Emily Blackhurst 

- Isabella Dixon 

- Luis Wright 

11 – Business In The Community Award (sponsored by In Demand Radio) 

Businesses play a vital role in making our communities better for all. We’d like to celebrate all those who have made a real difference.

- Babyballet Southport, Formby & Crosby 

- Big Comedy / Southport Comedy Festival 

- Nobody Left Behind 

12 – School Of The Year Award (sponsored by Southport College) 

Schools are brilliant at getting involved in local issues. But which ones have gone further to really improve the world around them? We’d love to honour those that have.

- Maricourt Catholic High School 

- Marshside Primary School 

- St John’s Crossens C of E Primary School 

13 – Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award (sponsored by Birkdale Kitchen Co.) 

This award recognises a person who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to life in Sefton. There will be no shortlist for this title announced prior to this award – instead the judging panel will reflect on potential candidates during the process and the winner will be awarded on the night.