Nominate your inspirational charity champions and health heroes

The Village Hotel will be hosting the glittering ceremony which honours charity champions, health heroes and good neighbours across Warrington.

Following a difficult few years due to the Covid pandemic, residents and businesses now face additional challenges with the current cost of living crisis so we want to recognise the inspirational people, teams and organisations in our town who make a difference to the lives of others.

We want to hear about all the positive people living and working at the centre of our community and recognise their hard work, determination and acts of kindness.

Our Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards – held in association with Warrington Borough Council and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – are making a welcome return with a dozen special honours due to be given out during a ceremony at The Village Hotel on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Over the past three years the Warrington Guardian has continued to support local businesses, charities and schools by highlighting their hard work and achievements, and we received record number of nominations for our Lockdown Heroes Awards in 2021 and the Education Awards in April.

The last time the Inspiration Awards took place was in 2019, pre-Covid, and we need your help to make this year’s awards a success.

Newsquest sales director Lee Taylor Craddock said: “The coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down but in every corner of Warrington extraordinary people have gone the extra mile to help the communities around them.

"So, whether you know an exceptionally selfless NHS worker, a carer or a community volunteer, we want to hear from you so we can give them the recognition they deserve.

"These awards will celebrate the very people who make our region a great place to live, work and play.”

Gemma Barber was nominated in 2019 for the Good Neighbour Award by Sian Vickers

Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We’re very pleased to sponsor the Inspiration Awards, which is an increasingly important celebration in Warrington’s calendar.

“We continue to be humbled by the amazing work of people in our communities.

“The Inspiration Awards celebrates the very best of Warrington and recognises those in our town who routinely go above and beyond.

“There are many remarkable and inspirational people in Warrington and we are proud to play our part by supporting these awards.”

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals is proud once again to support the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards.

Professor Simon Constable, chief executive, said: “The awards recognise and celebrate all that is great about our communities, education, sports and charities throughout the borough.

“Sometimes, it is in the most challenging circumstances and situations that we see the very best in people.

“The unsung heroes who go above and beyond for others, those that succeed against almost impossible odds, and the self-less, enduring commitment of charities to make things better for others.

“Our hospitals will continue to be there for our communities, our patients, and each other and on behalf of all the staff at WHH, we wish those inspirational nominees the very best of luck.”

HOW TO NOMINATE: See our list of award categories below and then CLICK HERE TO FILL IN AN ENTRY FORM 

The closing date for entries is Saturday, January 14.

For your nomination to be considered please include your name and full contact details, along with those of the person, business or organisation you are nominating, the name of the category and your full reasons for nominating them.

If you would like your business or organisation to be part of the event and sponsor one of our awards alongside our main partners Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Hospital and sponsor Assura, please email nikki.whinnett@localiq.co.uk for further information.

Here are the 12 categories set to be awarded on the night:

1. SPORTSPERSON/SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

We want to hear about the achievements of Warrington’s finest, either in their field of expertise or in furthering sport in the community. Nominations are welcome for both adults and junior achievers.

2. CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY

This award is for an individual or organisation in the town that has made a significant contribution to the community.

3. EVERYDAY HERO AWARD

This award recognises those who put others first, keep spirits high with people they meet and make a difference to the lives of those in their neighbourhood or the street they live in through their kindness and compassion.

4. FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

5. JUNIOR FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

We want to hear about those who have committed to raising money or giving time to a good cause. Nominations are welcome for individuals or groups and there will be separate awrads for adults and youngsters.

6. CHILD/TEENAGER OF THE YEAR sponsored by the NHS

This year’s winner will be for a youngster who has either battled against the odds to help others, been an outstanding achiever in their studies or extra-curricular activities, or put themselves at risk to help someone less fortunate or in danger.

7. NHS HERO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Assura

We are looking for an unsung hero working or volunteering within a hospital, surgery or health environment who has shown exceptional care or contributed to making someone’s visit or stay more enjoyable.

8. EDUCATION HERO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Chester University

This award will recognise those working in schools and colleges across Warrington, from teachers and head teachers to support staff and governors.

9. COURAGE AWARD

This award is to honour those who have either overcome adversity in their personal lives or gone beyond the call of duty, perhaps by risking their own safety to help others.

Nominations could be received for an individual, team or emergency services workers.

10. CHARITY OF THE YEAR

We are looking to recognise a Warrington charity that has been committed in its efforts to helping people in the town through its fundraising and tireless community work.

11. TEAM OF THE YEAR

We want to celebrate a team that has achieved success by working together. Nominations can be received from all walks of life, from schools and businesses to hospital departments and voluntary groups.   

12. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Warrington Borough Council

A prestigious award for the person who has made an outstanding contribution in Warrington over several years.

(Please note that our judges will also have the discretion to present a further special recognition award on the night)