The Community Foundation for Merseyside has sent its best wishes to everyone attending tonight’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Last summer the Foundation worked with Sefton Council and Sefton CVS to set up the Southport Strong Together appeal, which has gone on to raise over £850,000 for local families, schools and organisations in the wake of the Southport tragedy last summer.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards will be raising funds for the Southport Strong Together Appeal and also for the ICU Steps charity at the event, which takes place at The Grand in Southport on Friday, 25th April 2025.
Development Director, Karen Morris, Community Foundation for Merseyside said:
“On behalf of the Community Foundation for Merseyside I would like to offer our congratulations and good luck wishes to all the nominees at the Pride of Sefton Awards this evening.
“The Community Foundation for Merseyside helps individuals and organisations give to causes that matter to them, providing a strategic approach to charitable giving and a robust grant making service, ensuring charitable funds reach those who need it most.
“In emergency situations our unique position connecting charities and donors enables us to respond quickly, effectively, and appropriately.
“Last year in response to the unimaginable tragedy in Southport, with the backing of the National Emergency Trust and in partnership with Sefton CVS and Sefton Council we set up the Southport Strong Together Appeal.
“Thanks to the kindness of local, national, and international donors over £850,000 has been raised to date, through the Southport Strong Together Appeal and this funding has provided financial support to families directly affected and enabled community groups in Southport to address local challenges.
“We will continue to support the community in Southport where we can.
“On behalf of the Community Foundation for Merseyside, thank you for your trust and generosity.
“We hope you have a wonderful evening celebrating your individual and organisational achievements.”
The two Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards evenings raised thousands of pounds for ICU Steps.
Run by former intensive care patients and relatives, this charity aims to improve the care and support available to patients recovering from critical illness during their long recovery.
ICU Steps is the United Kingdom’s only intensive care patient support charity.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised annually by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport with media support from In Demand Radio, with each of the 13 categories sponsored by supportive local businesses.
Funds for the charities on the night are raised through a raffle, and through a silent auction.
Over 2,000 nominations have been received for this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, with nominations now closed.
The 2024 main Pride Of Sefton Awards winner, sponsored by The Grand, was the inspirational Denise Fergus. Denise, whose young son, James Bulger, was kidnapped and murdered in Bootle in 1993, has dedicated her life to operating the James Bulger Memorial Trust to benefit and support young people who are disadvantaged by reason of having become the victims of crime, hatred or bullying.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to renowned local radio broadcaster John Cooper.
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