Contenders line up for this year’s Pride awards

ROSSENDALE Hospice’s inaugural Pride of Rossendale awards ceremony will take place next week – and the nominations have been confirmed.

The event – featuring a drinks reception and buffet meal – takes place on Friday, June 17 at The Ashcroft, Whitworth.

Entry is £35 per ticket (£20 for a nominated person).

To be broadcast on Rossendale Radio, the evening replaces and expands on the Rossendale Woman of the Year ceremony.

The Pride of the Valley Award is the most prestigious category, with nominees reflecting people who the public felt had “added huge value to the area of Rossendale, touched the lives of many people or done extraordinary things for everyone in the valley.”

Melanie Kemp, hospice marketing and events assistant, said: “The hospice is just one of the places in the Valley that relies heavily on the kindness and diligence of individuals and community groups to raise awareness and fundraise.

“That’s why it’s wonderful to be able to host an event celebrating the everyday heroes who would normally shine a light on others instead of themselves.

“We can’t wait to highlight those that have gone above and beyond for those in need.

“They really what community is all about.”

The full category of nominees for this year are:

●●PRIDE of the Valley Award - sponsored by Scentish: Andrew Cooper, Chris & Ann Walton, Louise

Cooper, Michael Farnworth, and

Brenda Bottomley & Denise Dott.

●●WOMAN of the Year - Sponsored by Unscripted: Janet Wilmot, Sue Shuttleworth, Kate Brooks, Julie Savage, Janet O’Driscoll

●●MAN of the Year Sponsored by Thrive Gym: Olly White,

Peter Sweetmore, Andrew Cooper,

James Neary, Steven Ashworth

●●YOUNG Person of the Year (age 11 to 18) - Sponsored by Kids in Rossendale: Evie Ellinor, Jacob Reader, Agatha Midgley, Tom O’dell, Aidan & Leah Bibby

●●COMMUNITY Group of the Year Sponsored by Mr. Fitzpatricks: Friends Reminisce, The Shine Project, Mums of Helmshore Social

Club, The Waterwell Foundation, Kids In Rossendale

●●HOSPICE Star of the Year - Sponsored by David Gould Opticians: Celia Senior, John Dawson, Reuben Haworth, Joshua Bee, Catherine Hargreaves

●●SUPPORTIVE Business Award Sponsored by Churnside Funerals: Riley’s Butchers, Ninja coffee Company, Dansworks.