THE chairman of Saints, a mum who fled honour-based violence to start a new life, and a legend of rugby league were among the winners at the 2019 Pride of St Helens awards.
On an uplifting and emotional night, Saints chairman Eamonn McManus took the night’s headline Pride of St Helens prize.
Judges rewarded Eamonn with the honour, as he marked 20 years at the rugby league club.
Eamonn McManus being interviewed on stage by host Fraser Dainton
The award recognises his financial commitment to Saints, his role in the creation of the club’s new stadium and the drive that has kept the club at the top of the sport.
The judging panel also highlighted his commitment to drawing investment to St Helens, in his role as chair of the St Helens Economy Board, and attempts to inspire younger people.
Eamonn: "I've had a lot of highlights and an enormous amount of pleasure.
"It was people like Ray French that inspired me.
"I consider the town and the Saints club in the same way. The club is the greatest rugby club in the world and I don't say that lightly."
Eamonn’s nod to Ray followed the former Saints forward, Cowley teacher and BBC rugby league commentator being given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organisers.
Ray with his honour
Ray, a dual-code international, who played in one of Saints greatest ever sides in the 1960s, turns 80 in December.
After picking up the microphone at Radio Merseyside in the 1970s he became familiar to the whole country as the voice of the sport he loved, taking over from Eddie Waring as the BBC’s Rugby League commentator.
Ray, who received a standing ovation as he collected the honour, said: “Playing with Saints and people like (Tom) van Vollenhoven, (Alex) Murphy, Vince Karalius, that was a pleasure.
“To be asked to take over from Eddie Waring, he was a great character and a great commentator. Rugby has been my life."
Meanwhile, tears were shed as the Child of Courage nominees,10-year-old Joey Tildesley Devine and 12-year-old Mason Naylor, were named joint winners.
Kids of Couarge: Joey and Mason collect ther honours
Joey survived a brain haemorrhage a year ago and - after having to relearn how to walk and talk he has also fundraised for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to thank doctors for saving his life.
Mason, meanwhile, has not only fought cancer into remission, but less than a year since his all clear he is back doing what he loves - playing rugby with all his team-mates at Blackbrook
Mason said: “I’m really glad Joey won too because I thought he was even more brave than me, if I won I was going to ask him to come up with me.
“I’m very proud.”
Guests at the event
The awards co-founders, the St Helens Star and the Steve Prescott Foundation, believe the nominations for this year’s event were arguably the strongest in Pride of St Helens’ history eight-year history.
One story to inspire was that of Shana Begum and her three children, who were named the Family of the Year.
Shana fled honour based domestic violence with her children and came to St Helens where she did not know what to expect.
But the Moss Bank community welcomed her with open arms.
Now both the mum and her children do all they can to give back, including Shana helping other victims of domestic violence.
Shana and her children
Shana: "This award isn’t just for us it’s for the St Helens community who have welcomed our family and become my family when we needed it most.”
All the winners will be featured in a special St Helens Star print supplement next week and in separate online features.
The Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Pride of St Helens 2019: the results
The Child of Courage Award sponsored by Accord Wills
- Joey Tildesley-Devine (winner)
- Mason Naylor (winner)
Young Community Star Award sponsored by JC Kitchens
- Oliver Reece-Woods (winner)
- Callum Lyon (highly commended)
- Jack Lea (highly commended)
Young Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by St Helens Council
- Sophie Bellis (highly commended)
- Jacob Kelly (winner)
- Hannah Rylatt (highly commended)
Charity Champion sponsored by Assured Life
- Carl Wales (highly commended)
- Leanne Gauchwin (winner)
- St Helens Mind (highly commended)
Arts Award sponsored by Imperial Terrace and Bar
- Sugar House and Catalyst Studios (winner)
- Jude Riordan (highly commended)
- Sofia Wilkinson-Hill (highly commended)
Courage Award sponsored by Cosey Rentals
- Megan Lea (highly commended)
- Jess Rigby (highly commended)
- Tyler Turner (winner)
Leadership Award sponsored by Allisons Financial
- Richard Owen (highly commended)
- Robert Vaughan (winner)
- Simon Foster (highly commended)
Unsung Hero sponsored by Handepay
- Ian Roberts and St Helens #LitterHeroes (highly commended)
- Donna Milow (winner)
- Steve Thornton at Himvisible (highly commended)
Sportsperson of the Year sponsored by St Helens RFC
- Michael Smith (highly commended)
- EJay Harris (highly commended)
- Tommy Makinson (winner)
Family of the Year Award sponsored by Paramount Digital
- Shana Begum and her children (winner)
- The family of Adam Ellison (highly commended)
- The family of Kaycee Bradshaw (highly commended)
Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to St Helens, sponsored by Torus
- Ray French
Pride of St Helens Award sponsored by The Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group
- Eamonn McManus (winner)
- Elizabeth Hill Dance School (highly commended)
- St Helens Food Bank (highly commended)
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