THE shortlist for the Pride of St Helens Awards 2023 – sponsored by the Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group - has been revealed.

Once again your St Helens Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation will be recognising our town’s amazing people and organisations.

This year, Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium will again be turned into the glittering venue for the awards night, which will take place on Friday, November 24.

It will be the eleventh time the event has been held since the inaugural ceremony in 2012.

Sponsorship from local businesses and organisations ensures the event goes ahead.

Earlier this year, we called on our readers to come forward with the stories of heroism, courage, brilliance and achievement from over the past year.

And the responses arrived in their droves, making it another hugely challenging task for the judges to settle on this list.

Martin Blondel, general manager of the SPF, said: “It is our mission – and what Steve Prescott wanted in 2012 when the awards were founded – to create a truly spectacular celebration of what is best about St Helens and to raise aspiration and self-belief among people across the borough.

“Once again we have heard so many inspirational stories and it promises to be another memorable night that stirs the emotions and lifts the spirits."

Andrew Kilmurray, editor of the St Helens Star, added: “Pride of St Helens has been running for more than a decade now - and we believe it is important as ever.

"Life continues to be tough for many reasons and it can be easy to be consumed by negativity.

"But events such as this give us the opportunity to step back and reflect on the amazing people and organisations that give St Helens its identity.

"Stories of courage, talent, generosity, achievement and efforts against the odds are the essence of these awards and this was reflected in the nominations, which made it a really difficult job for judges to settle on a shortlist

“It saddens me to hear people say dismissively ‘what is there to be proud about in St Helens?’, when in reality there is so much to admire – including many achievements that have come despite the odds being against us.

“We have a rich seam of talent – people who live in the St Helens borough or who have grown up here and then spread their wings to achieve extraordinary things."

A special supplement will run in the St Helens Star ahead of the event, explaining the stories of each nominee.

A panel of judges reviewed the nominations before a shortlist was drawn up for each category.

The shortlist

Imperial Bar &Terrace Arts Award

  • Mike Clarke
  • Jamie Stockley
  • Dom Cummings

Assured Life Charity Champion

  • Climb Kili 4 Cancer Group

  • David Cross

  • Denise Littler

Lanny Man Child Of Courage Award

  • Lucy Lowe
  • Lincoln Huyton

HMS Housing Community Business Hero

  • Kevin Donachie (Cleanhire Industrial Cleaning)
  • Mike Garner
  • Communications Plus

Accord Wills Community Impact Award

  • Sam O'Keefe (St Matthew's Pantry)
  • Domestic abuse WA12
  • Kellie Kean

St Helens UPVC Courage Award

  • Billy Robinson
  • Lisa Ormrod
  • Laura Mahon

Swindells Roofing Pride of Place Award

  • Bold in Bloom team
  • David J Platt
  • Sutton Wombles

JC Kitchens School Of The Year

  • The Sutton Academy
  • Lansbury Bridge
  • St Cuthbert's Catholic High School 

Saints Sportsperson of the Year Award

  • Michael Callaghan
  • Hannah Conroy-Lax
  • Lucy Renshall

Handepay Unsung Hero Award

  • John Aspinall
  • Phil Glover
  • Julie Devine

St Helens Borough Council Young Sportsperson of the Year

  • Daisy Bowers
  • Caitlin Barrow
  • Max Lamb

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Pride of St Helens Award

  • Over the Rainbow
  • Michael Smith
  • St Helens Theatre Royal

There is also the Arcoframe Special Achievement Award, which will be announced on the night. There is no shortlist for this award.