THE Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation can today reveal the shortlist for the 2015 Solarking Pride of St Helens Awards.
This year's ceremony takes place at Langtree Park on Friday, November 13 and will see 35 individuals and organisations saluted for their achievements and inspirational acts before the overall winners are announced.
Among the contenders for the night's headline Pride of St Helens award are Saints great Paul Wellens, who hung his boots up earlier this year, and Emmerdale actor Michael Parr, who grew up on the Hard Lane estate.
St HelensYoung Carers organisation, which provides invaluable support to hundreds of youngsters who care for sick or disabled parents or siblings, is also in contention.
Judges spent more than three hours at Saints' stadium deliberating after hundreds of nominations were submitted for the awards, now in their fourth year.
The event was founded by the late Steve Prescott who wanted to create a celebration of everything that is best about St Helens.
Star editor Andrew Kilmurray said: "We had some tremendous entries this year, which again underlines how many talented people and outstanding organisations we have across St Helens. I know it was a very tough task for the judges coming up with the selections and unfortunately we can't find places for everyone who was nominated.
"One of the aims of Pride, which I know Steve was passionate about, was to encourage towns people to shout about all the good things that are going on in St Helens rather than looking at negatives.
"We have some way to go yet but as a town we are getting better at championing achievement."
Star readers will recognise names from some of the stories featured in the newspaper's pages from over the past year. They include gymnast Rachael Letsche who won the senior women’s World Tumbling Championship crown in Florida, little Isaac Haggerty, who has kept smiling while fighting leukaemia, and the Nicholas family, who have led a campaign for more people to be checked for hidden cardiac conditions following the death of their son James.
There are many other stories of inspiration that will feature on category pages in this week's Star.
Solarking Pride of St Helens Awards 2015 shortlist
Solarking Pride of St Helens
Paul Wellens
Mike Parr
St Helens Young Carers
OD's Community Hero
Terry Maguire
David Pope
Darren Rigby
Saints Sportsperson of the Year
Rachael Letsche
Tony Griffiths
Martin Murray
St Helens Council Young Sportsperson
Lauren Bate Lowe
Ben Walkden
Olivia Hussey
McDonalds Mentor of the Year
Stephen Cruse
Anne Brian
Jenny Leyland
St Helens Chamber Excellence in Business Award
ST Group
Paul Griffiths (Westfield Street Music Festival)
Steve Caunce
Young Community Star
Keiran Lynch Thomas
Paisley Kerswell
Callum Webster and Toby Booth
Hattons Solicitors Courage Award
Liam Waterworth
Andy Potter
Neil Tucker
Imperial Arts Award
Stuart Pyke
Michael Parr
Watch this Space
Carmel College Education Award
Nicola Thompson
Holy Cross Primary School
Laura Foster
NGF Champion Fundraiser
Joan Crank
The Nicholas Family
Kelly Wellens
Haydock Park Racecourse Child of Courage
Freddie Barker
Isaac Haggerty
Kenzie Appleton
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