International Women’s Day takes place this Sunday (8th March 2026) – and we have plenty to celebrate with some incredible women making huge differences in our community.
We’d love you to share your stories with us about the women who inspire you – it might be a community leader, a charity champion, someone thriving in business; it might be your Mum, your sister, your daughter.
We’d love to see your posts in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group shining a light on them!
Or email us your guest blogs and we’ll publish: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
International Women’s Day was celebrated in style on Friday with a stunning event organised by Queenscourt Hospice at The Grand on Lord Street.
Among the headline speakers were the inspirational Dr Karen Groves MBE, who worked with her sister Sarah to become the founders of the hospice 35 years ago – refusing to take no for an answer and pursuing what they knew the community so desperately needed.
They were the driving force behind the creation of the hospice at a time when – it seems impossible to imagine now – there were no real palliative care services in this area.
The hospice opened its doors in 1991, ahead of the official opening by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1992, which gained worldwide attention.
In the many years since, tens of thousands of families across Formby, West Lancashire and Southport have received vital care from Queenscourt, both in the hospice and also at home.
Dr Groves has since retired, however her work continues through the launch of the Dr Karen Groves Legacy Development Fund in her honour.
There are plenty of amazing women working throughout Queenscourt too, with every role vital including the nurses, doctors, chefs, fundraisers, cleaners, volunteers, finance workers, retail assistants, and so many more.
Last weekend Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley was swimming with sharks to raise funds for the hospice.
Also speaking yesterday was Jordan Duggan, a champion who inspires women to develop roles in industries including construction.
Ellie Kerr the founder of Merseyside Women Of The Year spoke about women supporting each other – and seeking nominations for this year’s awards.
Dr Groves was honoured as the first Finalist in the first ever Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards that we held in 2023, organised in conjunction with Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport with support from In Demand Radio.
Women have been the Main Winners every year.
Kath Wilson, who founded Southport Lifeboat and led the campaign to open a new Southport Lifeboat Station, won in 2023.
That year, Lady Marina Dalglish MBE – a guest yesterday – won the Sefton Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding campaigning work for cancer patients.
2024 saw Denise Fergus win the award for her work leading the James Bulger Foundation.
Last year the Main Winners were the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, with their mums, Alexandra, Lauren and Jen inspiring people worldwide with setting up Alice’s WonderDance, Bebe’s Hive and Elsie’s Story.
The headteachers of two of the schools the girls attended, Jinnie Payne and Jennifer Sephton, ran the London Marathon and a skydive to raise funds for those charities.
Winning the Sefton Courage Award last year were Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle, two brave women who are rebuilding their lives after the Southport tragedy. Leanne has determinedly led the Let’s Be Blunt campaign, in her bid to reduce knife crime and its victims.
Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
We have some astonishing women in our community.
Today – we’d love to see your posts letting us know which women inspire you
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
