SAINTS captain James Roby was crowned the Pride of St Helens on an uplifting and emotional awards night on Friday.

Roby took the top honour in the 2018 Solarcrown Commercial Pride of St Helens Awards as judges recognised his magnificent service to his hometown rugby league club.

Typically, he reacted humbly to the honour, heaping praise on many of the inspiring people who also collected awards during the ceremony.

The event, at Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium, was organised by the Steve Prescott Foundation and the St Helens Star, for the seventh year in a row.

The family of Danny Fox have campaigned against knife crime

It aims to raise aspiration across St Helens by highlighting inspiring stories of achievement, resilience, courage and talent.

Others to be recognised included the family of Danny Fox, the 29-year-old who was stabbed to death in St Helens in the autumn of 2016.

Danny’s family have since campaigned to end knife crime. Their award was greeted with a standing ovation.

One of the missions of Pride of St Helens, is to recognise people born in the borough who go on to achieve success nationally or internationally.

Conor Coady, the captain of Premier League football team Wolverhampton Wanderers, was identified as a perfect example of this by the judges.

Conor Coady speaking to the evening's host Fraser Dainton

As he was named Sportsperson of the Year, Coady, who grew up in Haydock, paid tribute to the Rainford Rangers junior team where he started his playing days.

Speaking on behalf of the Pride of St Helens organising committee, Andrew Kilmurray, editor of the St Helens Star, said: “It was another incredible evening as we recognised the great and good within our borough.

“The stories we heard on the night underline the calibre of people we have that are from St Helens and the importance of sharing those stories as we set out to raise aspiration and belief in our communities and, in particular, St Helens' children and young people.

“Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to a wonderful occasion.”

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Pride of St Helens 2018

Carmel College Leadership

Winner: Neil McFarlane

Highly commended: Mark Dickinson, Ellen Murray

St Helens RFC Sportsperson of the Year

Winner: Conor Coady

Highly commended: Justin Holbrook, Matt Crehan

Handepay Unsung Hero Award

Winner: Ted Forsyth,

Highly commended: Claire Rigby, Teresa Farrimond

CoseyRentals Courage Award

Winner: Chris Carberry

Highly commended: Stephen Higham, Barbara Challinor

Accord Wills The Child of Courage

Winner: Eve Leach

Highly commended: Katie Edington, Kaycee Bradshaw

OD’s Designer Clothing Young Community Star Award

Winner: Lewis Taylor

Highly commended: Ben Hodge, Jennifer Draper

Assured Life Charity Champion

Winner: Claire Lewis and Team 1C

Highly commended: Mark Smith, Karen Jarvis

Imperial Bar & Terrace Arts Award

Winner: Clonefest

Highly commended: Carley Stenson, Lost Castles

St Helens Council Young Sportsperson of the Year

Winner: Shea Williams

Highly commended: Ivan Leyland, Lauren Bate

Torus Family of the Year Award

Winner: The family of Daniel Fox

Highly commended: The family of Hope Colley, the family of Violet-Grace Youens

Solarcrown Pride of St Helens Award

Winner: James Roby

Highly commended: Carley Stenson, Chrysalis Centre