ON Friday, November 24, we will celebrating the 11th annual Pride of St Helens Awards.
In this week's paper (in shops now) we published a 16-page supplement profiling each of the shortlisted nominees for this year's ceremony.
Throughout this weekend and next week ahead of the event at the Totally Wicked Stadium, we will be sharing our categories of nominees with you.
Here are your nominees for Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Pride of St Helens Award - Courage Category, sponsored by St Helens UPVC.
Laura Mahon
IN the face of real adversity, people can crumble or fight through. Laura Mahon has most certainly chosen the latter.
Laura, 30, from Lea Green, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in September 2021 when she was 27 weeks pregnant.
Doctors originally believed the baby was pressing on a nerve, but she was sent to The Walton Centre for an MRI scan; which led to the discovery of the tumour.
She and her husband Danny, 29, made the toughest decision of their lives; and opted to bring their daughter into the world at 30 weeks.
On November 30, 2021, Sienna Grace Laura Mahon was born, weighing just 3.4lbs, at Warrington Hospital and later developed a collapsed lung; so was transferred to Royal Oldham Hospital to receive specialised care.
After the birth of her daughter Laura was given the devastating news that her tumour was grade four and she had around a year to live.
That was almost two years ago and Laura and Danny have married, Sienna is thriving and the family do all they can to create memories and raise awareness of brain tumour research and live for today.
She’s also raised thousands for charity alongside her family and via her Instagram brings hope to others living on what she terms as “borrowed time”.
Billy Ward
WHEN he found his mum unconscious, brave Billy Ward reacted swiftly in a way that saved her life.
Kathryn Robinson, from Newton-le-Willows taught her son what to do in an emergency situation, although she never realised that her lesson would one day help her son to save her life.
But that is exactly what happened in April this year when Billy, aged only 14, found his mum was unconscious in their home.
He used the lessons his mum taught him without hesitation, putting her in the recovery position, ringing for an ambulance, and performing CPR, actions paramedics confirmed saved Kathryn’s life.
Kathryn said: “He saved my life during the scariest moment of his life.
“The paramedics could not believe what he had done so quickly, so professionally, in such a handson way; they couldn’t praise him enough and neither can I.
“The paramedics informed us that if Billy wasn’t there to do what he did when he did, I wouldn’t be either.
“What a true little hero he is.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Kathryn hopes Billy’s heroic act will encourage other parents to educate their children on how to perform CPR and what to do in an emergency situation.
Lisa Ormrod
MUM-OF-THREE Lisa Ormrod from Sutton Heath is currently living with secondary cancer and despite raising thousands for charity was “humbled” by her nomination in this category.
She first had breast cancer six years ago and after undergoing treatment, went into remission only to discover in November last year that it has returned and is now also in her liver, pelvis, femur, chest and hip.
Despite this, Lisa has never given up hope and focuses on fundraising and raising awareness for breast cancer.
Her efforts have seen her raise thousands for St Helens Hospital’s Burney breast unit by doing charity CrossFit events as well as organising climbs of Snowdon and Scafell Pike – even after only finishing chemotherapy two weeks prior.
She also organised and starred in a Full Monty style show at Thatto Heath Labour Club raising money for charity.
Lisa said: “I feel very humbled to be nominated for this as I don’t feel courageous.
“I just know that it doesn’t matter what pain I’m in, I have to get on with things.
I have inoperable cancer, well I can feel sad about that or I can do what I’m doing which is focusing on my Cross Fit and doing everything I can for Burney Breast Unit to help other men and women like me.
“If I can do it, hopefully that shows others they can too.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here