By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Mum of James Bulger has been honoured with the Main Award sponsored by The Grand at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
The inspirational Denise Fergus was given a standing ovation as she stepped up to collect the accolade from Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail.
It was an emotional moment for a mother who has never stopped fighting for justice, or stopped campaigning to support other families.
Denise has dedicated her life to helping people since the tragic abduction and murder of her son James, just two years old, in 1993.
She has dedicated her life to fundraising and organising events to put money back into the community and to give troubled families a place to go for respite and build damaged relationships, and spend quality family time together.
It is 31 years since James was taken and never returned and Denise and her husband Stuart have made sure that he is never forgotten in setting up the James Bulger Memorial Trust.
Denise and Stuart Fergus are presented with the Main Award at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. They are with Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail; In demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo; and Stand Up For Southport Diector Andrew Brown. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
Denise and Stuart said: “To see so many amazing people in the room at The Grand in Southport was unbelievable.
“To hear their stories as to why they had been nominated was truly inspirational.
“It was an honour to not only be invited to the evening but to be given this year’s Main Award as Pride of Sefton was truly heartfelt.”
Denise Fergus is an inspirational champion for justice for so many families across the UK.
In March, she pleaded with MPs to “stand with me” as she vowed that she will “never stop fighting for justice” for her son, James.
Denise says there are still “so many unanswered questions” that “haunt” her about James’s murder as she demanded “the mistakes of the past are not repeated”.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger, was honoured with the Main Award sponsored by the Grand at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
Her plea came as she attended a debate in Parliament to demand a public inquiry into James’s murder case.
Denise told MPs: “I am present as the mother whose heart has been shattered and whose life has been forever dark after the loss of my dear son, James. For over 30 years, I have carried the unbearable weight of his absence, a void that can never be filled, a pain that never subsides… I am here to say I will never stop fighting for James. He cannot stand up for himself. So it is my duty as his mother to be his voice, his champion.”
Denise and Stuart run For James – the James Bulger Memorial Trust in her son’s memory.
It enables families to nominate a deserving young person for a well deserved holiday in their large luxurious lodge, based at the beautiful Ribby Hall Village, near Blackpool, in Lancashire.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger, was honoured with the Main Award sponsored by the Grand at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
James was nearly three years old when he was tragically murdered and James’ Mum Denise wants him to be cherished and remembered for the beautiful little boy with the big sparkling smile and the blond hair that bounced in the air as he ran everywhere at speed.
Denise set up this charity to have people remember James in a positive manner and not a negative way, as some in the media often do.
The James Bulger Memorial Trust aims to benefit and support young people who are disadvantaged by reason of having become a part of bereavement, a victim of crime, hatred or bullying.
The charity rewards those who are judged to have shown exemplary conduct, making a positive contribution to the welfare of others, or society in general.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger, was honoured with the Main Award sponsored by the Grand at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
It does so by providing a free holiday / respite break for such children and their families; along with a range of other rewards.
Nominations are invited from the public, teachers, guardians, police and welfare officers.
The 2024 Pride Of Sefton Awards saw 13 categories on the night, with incredible stories behind all the finalists.
There were over 1,300 nominations for community figures from Southport, Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Maghull and across Sefton.
Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger, was honoured with the Main Award sponsored by the Grand at the 2024 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards were organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with media partners In Demand Radio.
The night was hosted by In demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo, with entertainment from Whitney Houston tribute performer Michelle Lawson, soul singer Dave Broe and DJ Baz Todd.
As Sefton celebrates its 50th birthday, VIP guests attending the awards included Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson; Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns; and council Chief Executive Phil Porter.
Pictures on the night were taken by Kevin Brown Photography with videography by Zack Downey from ZED Productions.
Fundraising took place on the night with proceeds going to ICU Steps, the intensive care patient support charity.
- For more details about the Pride Of Sefton Awards please visit: www.prideofseftonawards.co.uk or email: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
- For more details about For James – the James Bulger Memorial Trust please visit: forjames.org
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