Pride hosts are named (From St Helens Star)

Pride of St Helens hosts named

9:35am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Oliver Kurt

JON WILKIN and Steve Prescott have been unveiled as the presenters for the Solar King Pride of St Helens awards.

The glittering event, saluting the very best of the town, is at Langtree Park on Friday, October 12.

Nearly 150 nominations have been submitted so far – and Star readers are urged to put more names forward after the deadline was extended 24 hours until tomorrow (Friday) evening.

Wilkin, the Saints ace and a columnist with this newspaper, will co-present the awards with Steve Prescott, whose charity has organised the event alongside media partners, the St Helens Star.

They are joined by Mike Denning, chairman of the Steve Prescott Foundation, who will be the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Speaking at Langtree Park on Tuesday, Jon, 28, said: “For me, someone who was not brought up in the area, to be asked to present the Pride of St Helens Awards is a huge honour. I certainly think that in the ten years I’ve been in this part of the country, I’ve become an adopted Sintellener.

“I came over here and ‘barms’ and ‘splits’ were alien terms to me, but now they hold a special place in my heart.

“This funny little town is my home and I’m proud of it and all the amazing people and characters who live here “I think the awards celebrate the diversity of the people in St Helens and gives them the recognition they deserve.”

The incredible endurance challenges completed by Prescott, while battling an incurable form of cancer, epitomises the spirit of what the awards will represent.

He will be among a panel, which will be tasked with shortlisting three contenders for each category next week.

Steve, 38, said: “We have been inundated with nominations. We have decided to put back the deadline 24 hours so we can give the St Helens public extra opportunity to nominate more people who really deserve to be part of this.”

Shortlisted nominees will each receive one complimentary ticket for the night (and have first refusal on extra tickets for family, friends or supporters), will be revealed on Thursday, September 20. Nominees under the age of 16 will also receive a complimentary ticket for a parent/guardian.

One hundred places available to the public. Tickets are £75 per person, or £700 for a table of ten, which includes a four course meal, half a bottle of wine and entertainment including Backbeat Beatles, war-time singer Heather Marie McHale, and young tenor Tom Loughlin.

NOMINEES should either live, work or have been born in St Helens area.
Star readers can nominate online at prideofsthelens
.co.uk or in writing (150 words or fewer) to the Star’s office on Hardshaw Street.
Deadline is 6pm on Friday.

YOUR St Helens Star will be the sponsor for the Pride of St Helens Excellence in Business Award.

We want to hear about the many outstanding success stories of firms in the borough.

Andrew Kilmurray, news editor, said: “The Star has been a huge supporter of these awards since our initial discussions with the Steve Prescott Foundation. Championing the best of St Helens and its communities is at the heart of what we do and we’re eagerly looking forward to October 12 at Langtree Park.

“We’re particularly keen to hear great stories about local businesses. Times are tough out there but we know there are local companies, both big and small, and individuals doing outstanding work. We hope many more entries will flood in before tomorrow’s 6pm deadline.”

 

The categories...

• Solar King Pride of St Helens Award
• St Helens Star Excellence in Business Award
• Hattons Gold Sportsperson of the Year
• Helena Partnerships Community Hero
• SecureFirst Mentor of the Year
• Typhoo Emergency Services Hero
• Imperial Bar Performing Arts Award
• St Helens Council Young Sportsperson of the Year: (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by October 31.)
• St Helens College Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
• Boc Boc Courage Award
• Halo Legal Services Champion Fundraising Award