By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
One of the UK’s leading lawyers and business owners who runs a breakfast club for homeless people every weekend has been honoured as the winner of the 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards.
‘Adopted Scouser’ Donna Scully, the joint owner / director at Carpenters Group, paid tribute to people in Liverpool, her fellow nominees and her family as she collected the accolade.
The 2024 Merseyside Women of the Year Awards on Friday (28th June 2024) were sponsored by Financial Planning Corporation (FPC) and were hosted by Pauline Daniels at the Crowne Plaza at Liverpool Waterfront.
Donna was also presented with the Business Leader Award by Liverpool City Region Institute of Directors Chair David Wafer.
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. Donna Scully wins the Business Leader Award and was presented by David Wafer from the Institute Of Directors Liverpool
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The tireless community champion is the joint owner and director at Carpenters Group which is one of the UK’s leading providers of insurance and legal services, a global leader in the insurance world.
Donna, originally from Dublin, has made Liverpool her home for over a quarter of a century.
She is a lawyer, experienced public speaker and podcaster who works closely with the Ministry of Justice in relation to motor claims and civil justice reform.
Carpenters Group employs more than 2,000 people and is one of the region’s biggest business success stories.
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. The overall winner was lawyer and community activist Donna Scully (centre)
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Donna is also a huge advocate and supporter for those in society that need extra care and lives and breathes it in her actions.
She runs a homeless breakfast club every Sunday which she personally attends and prepares food for.
She is also an Ambassador for Fans Supporting Foodbanks, a Football for Change Champion and she mentors for the Girls Network and The Insurance Breakfast Club.
Speaking on stage at the Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards, Donna said: “I was in Merseyside 27 years yesterday, it was my anniversary.
“I couldn’t have been made more welcome in this city.
“I knew immediately I was going to love it. It was like home from home as a Dubliner, from Dublin inner city.
Donna Scully has been honoured as the winner of the 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards. She is pictured with 2022 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards winner Jubeda Khatun. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“The sense of community here is unbelievable. It just inspired me. Some of the people on my table who work in the community just blow my mind. They are amazing.
“I always say if a Scouser gets £20 they are always going to give £5 of it away.
“They are kind-hearted people – that’s the type of people that they are. So thank you for inspiring me.
“Thank you to my family and to my friends who keep me grounded.
“In Dublin there’s a saying that you’re not allowed to lose the run of yourself, no matter if you’re successful. There’s no way it could happen. I wouldn’t be able to go home again. I would be ostracised! Thank you for keeping me grounded.
“This is a very proud day for a scally from Dublin inner city.
“I feel I’m an honorary Scouser now. So thank you for welcoming me!”
Donna Scully has been honoured as the winner of the 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards.Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A special Fellowship Award was presented to Ngunan Adamu, an accomplished BBC journalist, broadcaster, and social entrepreneur who has travelled across Africa and Asia, training journalists from Ethiopia to Bangladesh.
The awards were presented by actor Pauline Daniels, while guests enjoyed an on-stage Q&A session with Guest Speaker Laura Pye, the Director of National Museums Liverpool.
Merseyside Women of the Year Awards Founding Director Ellie Kerr said: “At MWOTY 2024, we applaud the entrepreneurs who build empires, the educators who ignite minds, artists who paint emotions and the leaders who shape the future.
“We celebrate the unsung heroines, the visionaries, the caregivers, the volunteers and the community builders who make our world a better place to live.”
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024 winners. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner, FPC, said:
“As the headline sponsor of MWOTY for the second consecutive year, we’re both proud and excited to be sharing the stories of another round of inspiring finalists, each as deserving as the last.
“MWOTY shines a spotlight on women who demonstrate a remarkable commitment to their communities, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
- For more details about the Merseyside Women of The Year Awards, please visit: https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/
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