The Pride Of Sefton Awards is back for 2024 after a hugely successful first event last year!
Organisers Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport were overwhelmed to receive over 1,200 nominations in 2023 for outstanding people and organisations from Southport, Bootle, Formby, Crosby, Maghull and across the borough.
This year’s Pride Of Sefton Awards, supported by media partner In Demand Radio, will be held at The Grand in Southport on Friday, 26th April 2024.
Nominations are now open across a range of categories, which you can submit online here: www.prideofseftonawards.co.uk or email: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
The closing date for entries is Monday 22nd March 2023.
Last year’s main Pride Of Sefton Awards winner, sponsored by The Grand, was the inspirational Kath Wilson, the tireless campaigner behind the Southport Lifeboat charity and the new Southport Lifeboat Station.
Sir Kenny Dalglish and Marina Dalglish meanwhile were awarded the first ever LIfetime Achievement Award for their incredible work raising millions of pounds and changing countless lives through The Marina Dalglish Appeal and supporting families whose lives were devastated by the Hillsborough Tragedy.
Sir Kenny Dalglish and Marina Dalglish were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards. It was presented to Marina Dalglish and Neil Gokcen and Stephen Dunne from Birkdale Kitchen Co. They were joined on stage by event hosts Fraser Dainton and Claire Simmo. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
A total of 13 Pride Of Sefton awards were presented to those who give so selflessly for others, with the same categories in place this year – plus a new one to be announced soon.
The 2024 Pride Of Sefton Awards celebration will be held in the stunning Princess Grace Suite at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport town centre on Friday, 26th April 2024, when shortlisted nominees will be invited to a very special night of celebration.
Local businesses with a keen commitment to charitable work in Sefton who would like to support the awards are invited to get in touch, by emailing: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:
“We are delighted to be organising and hosting the Pride Of Sefton Awards once again.
“It was a fantastic event last year – very moving, and very humbling.
“We were overwhelmed by the huge number of nominations we received across the whole range of categories.
“It shows just how many unsung heroes we have in our local community and why it is so important to be able to celebrate them and give them a very special night to remember.
England kickboxing international and British Taekwondo champion Isabella Dixon celebrated her 10th birthday at the Pride Of Sefton Awards by winning the Sefton Young Sportsperson Of The Year Award, sponsored by DT Hughes Contractors. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
“It has been a tough year for everyone. Lots of people have been going above and beyond to support others and we would love to see your nominations.
“Last year’s Pride Of Sefton Awards night at The Grand was a spectacular occasion, the feedback we had from everyone present was brilliant. We would like to thank everyone involved and all our sponsors who made it all possible.
“We can’t wait to do it all again.”
Stand Up For Southport Director Andrew Brown said:
“The stories we heard at last year’s Pride Of Sefton Awards were incredibly moving, and very inspiring. It was a privilege to be there.
“There are so many selfless people out there who do so much to make our communities across Sefton so special, by improving the quality of life of others.
“We want you to help us to celebrate them with a night they will never forget. Please send us your nominations today.”
Debbie-Lyn Connolly Lloyd has won the Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Sefton Council, at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
We are looking for nominations, across Southport, Formby, Crosby, Bootle, Maghull and elsewhere in the borough of Sefton in 13 categories:
1 – Main Award – Pride of Sefton
The night’s premier award will salute a person or organisation who judges believe has made a truly inspiring or outstanding contribution to Sefton over the past two years.
2 – Diversity and Inclusion Award
Sefton is a truly welcoming borough. We’d love to hear about those who have gone out of their way to promote diversity and inclusion within our area.
3 – Sefton Arts Award
Sefton wants to shout loud and proud about those who have achieved remarkable things in the world of stage, screen, and music. We want to hear about bright young things and those who have made it to the very top.
4 – Charity Champion Award
Charities local and nationally survive and thrive on the cash raised by big-hearted fundraisers. And they have really needed it in these tough times. We don’t just want to hear who has raised the most, but how they have done it, what difference has it made and why it has inspired you.
Theo Graham and Jessica Dowle receive the Child Of Courage Awards from Southport Pleasesureland CEO Norman Wallis at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
5 – Child of Courage Award
We are searching for nominees who have shown immense courage in the face of adversity. Courage comes in different shapes – is it a child who has battled illness, performed an act of bravery or done something truly remarkable while up against the odds?
6 – Courage Award
Many tales of the heroism, courage or bravery of people from Sefton go untold – and we’d like to change that. Nominees could have performed a dramatic rescue or maybe they’ve overcome illness or injury to record inspiring achievements.
7 – Unsung Hero Award
Tell us about the person who makes a huge difference to our borough’s communities, organisations or teams but who rarely gets a spot in the limelight.
8 – Community Impact Award
Which person or organisation has had the biggest positive impact on their community? How have they made Sefton a better place or helped people? Have they used their heart as well as their business head to serve their area?
Brendan Riley (left) and Val Brady (right) from Southport Comedy Festival / Big Comedy won the Business In The Community Award at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards. They are pictured with even oirganisersd Andrew Mikhail (second left) and Andrew Brown
9 – Sportsperson of the Year
Whose achievements in the sporting arena have been the brightest over the past two years?
We want nominations from all sporting fields – from amateurs to professionals, and from coaches to players.
10 – Young Sportsperson of the Year
Which of Sefton’s sporting juniors have recorded the biggest achievement? In a borough with so much talent we would expect a deluge of entries. Tell us who stands out? (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by 1st March.)
11 – Business In The Community Award
Businesses play a vital role in making our communities better for all. We’d like to celebrate all those who have made a real difference.
Marshside Primary School won the Sefton School Of The Year Award at the 2023 Pride Of Sefton Awards. They were presented with their award by Michelle Brabner, Principal of Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
12 – School Of The Year Award
Schools are brilliant at getting involved in local issues. But which ones have gone further to really improve the world around them? We’d love to honour those that have.
13 – Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award
This award recognises a person who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to life in Sefton. There will be no shortlist for this title announced prior to this award – instead the judging panel will reflect on potential candidates during the process and the winner will be awarded on the night.
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