Local heroes who have given a lifetime of service to communities across Sefton are being sought so they can be celebrated at the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Organisers would love to see your nominations for the Sefton Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by LWC.
You can submit your nominations via the Pride Of Sefton Awards website: prideofseftonawards.co.uk or email: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
Whoever wins this year will be following in some very impressive footsteps.
Last year’s winner was Rev Martin Abrams, who collected his honour to a standing ovation at The Grand last year – and has since gone on to be awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
As the Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Manager at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, covering Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, Martin’s impact and influence has been huge.
He supports people who are often at the lowest points of their life.
Martin has proved to be a daily inspiration with his unwavering support for people during the Covid pandemic and spoke at the vigil 24 hours after the Southport tragedy.
He leads a team of chaplains from all religions as well as volunteer Spiritual Ambassadors on most wards and departments, all of whom provide a wonderful service to patients and their families at a time of greatest need.
A Finalist last year was Pamela Edwards
Last year she celebrated 50 years since opening Formby Day Nursery, still at the helm, aged 89-years-old.
Pamela Edwards opened the Formby Day Nursery, alongside her late husband in 1975, and went on to run it with the help of other family members.
Over the past five decades, Pamela has been known as Mrs Edwards but recently, she has earned a new special title courtesy of the children she cares for, one that she enjoys… “Grandma”.
Also a Finalist was Kathy Forrester.
Kathy was a community midwife for 41 years, reluctantly retiring in March last year aged 67 and still working 30+ hours per week.
She cared for many thousands of women in Sefton throughout their pregnancy journeys.
Kathy dedicated herself on going above and beyond for women and families.
A colleague said: ‘Kathy is one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. She is going to leave a massive hole in our team.’
The search has now begun to find someone truly exceptional to win the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by LWC.
Organisers are asking people across Sefton to suggest who has gone to extraordinary lengths to improve the lives of others.
The winners and finalists will be honoured at the Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday, 24th April 2026.
Submissions are being sought from Southport, Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Aintree, and across the borough.
The category is being sponsored by LWC, the largest independent wholesaler of beers, wines and spirits in the country.
Established in 1979, LWC has grown from a small start-up to the “fastest growing privately owned drinks company in the UK”.
With over 8,000 different product lines and over 13,500 on-trade customers, LWC delivers the broadest range and greatest service available in the UK drinks industry.
The Pride Of Sefton Awards, organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with In Demand Radio, is an unmissable fixture in the Liverpool City Region events calendar.
The ceremony will be presented by In Demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo.
All those on the shortlist will be invited to a special celebratory meal in the beautiful surroundings of The Princess Grace Suite at The Grand in Southport while the awards are presented, with a stunning night of entertainment.
Nominations are still being invited across all 13 categories ahead of the closing date on 1st March 2026.
For more details please visit: www.prideofseftonawards.co.uk
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