Star singer Kelly Bond to perform live at Pride Of Sefton Awards 2023

Star singer Kelly Bond will perform for a room packed with local heroes when the first Pride Of Sefton Awards takes place. 

The glittering event will be held at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 28th April 2023. 

It will see people from Southport, Bootle, Formby, Crosby, Maghull and across the borough honoured for the positive difference they make to their local communities in a total of 13 different categories. 

Guests will be presented with their awards in an evening hosted by Clair Simmo and Fraser Dainton and treated to a delicious meal ahead of an evening of top entertainment. 

The Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport alongside our media partners In Demand Radio. 

Please email your nominations to: standupforsouthport@gmail.com or visit: prideofseftonawards.co.uk

Closing date is midnight on 6th March 2023.  

Nominees, VIP guests and sponsors will be serenaded by Southport singer, host, actress and event specialist Kelly Bond, who has performed both locally and at events around the world. 

She has sung at festivals, weddings, corporate events, venues and more. 

The singer is a huge supporter of local charities too, raising hundreds of pounds for the Shelter homeless charity through the ‘Strictly Goes To The Movies’ fundraiser in Blackpool in February.

Kelly said: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been asked to perform at the Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport this April.

“I am looking forward to being surrounded by people from across Sefton who do incredible things in the local community being celebrated on what is going to be a very special evening.

“I am Southport born and bred, I am a Sefton girl. I have performed around the world but it is always lovely singing locally.

“It is great to see that funds raised during the evening will go towards the ICU Steps charity which is a superb cause to support.” 

The Grand on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

There are a total of 13 awards being presented on the night: 

1 – Main Award – Pride of Sefton (sponsored by The Grand) 

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 (sponsored by Sefton Council) 

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 (sponsored by Fitton Estates) 

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 (sponsored by Communication Plus) 

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.

5 – Child of Courage Award (sponsored by Southport Pleasureland) 

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 (sponsored by Lloyds Bank) 

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 (sponsored by Exceptional Care & Think Tank Academy) 

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 (sponsored by Forth Homes) 

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?

9 – Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Westcoast Workwear and Embroidery) 

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 (sponsored by DT Hughes) 

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 (sponsored by In Demand Radio) 

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.

12 – School Of The Year Award (sponsored by Southport College) 

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 (sponsored by Birkdale Kitchen Co.) 

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.

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:

“The greatest award is the appreciation of the people. It is so important to celebrate all that is good in Sefton and together with Stand up for Southport, we are delighted to be able to offer a platform that will celebrate this. The awards evening is certain to be a spectacular occasion that will be memorable for all the right reasons.”

Stand Up For Southport Founder Andrew Brown said:

“Our new Pride of Sefton Awards aim to pay tribute to all those who go out of their way to make a real difference in our local communities.

“On a daily basis, they work tirelessly, and often without thanks or recognition to make a significant and lasting contribution to our society and enhance the quality of life in our local communities.

“We’d love to see you tell us who should be recognised.” 

Please Like the Pride Of Sefton Awards page on Facebook the Pride Of Sefton Awards on Instagram and Pride Of Sefton 23 on Twitter 

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com