The best photos from the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards 2024

The town’s most inspirational people came together last night, Thursday, to for the annual Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards.

The glittering ceremony was held at The Village Hotel with a dozen awards handed out to individuals and teams who have made a real difference in the town.

Honours were given to top teachers and charity champions as well as community heroes and sporting stars and there were two top prizes revealed on the night – a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Courage Award.

There were cheers and tears and the several standing ovations for our nominees and winners.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of next week's Inspiration Awards edition of the Warrington Guardian, in shops from Thursday, May 2.

Here are some of the best photos from a special evening of celebration:

Birchwood Community High School choir

Charity of the Year Warrington and Halton Hospitals Charity - Helen Higginson, head of fundraising, Jane Breeze, charity administrator

Child of the Year Violet Smith

Contribution to the Community Award winner Kate McCarthy-Booth with Leanne Campbell and Ian Wood, general counsel at Sellafield Ltd

Everyday Hero Janet Adamson

Courage Award winner Esther Ghey

Education Hero Stephen Burke

Fundraiser of the Year Lee Kinsey with Leanne Campbell and Matt Legg, head of External Communications at Sellafield Ltd

Health Hero Team Lunar

Host Leanne Campbell

Junior Fundraiser of the Year Thomas Burrows with Leanne Campbell and Warrington mayor Cllr Steve Wright

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Keith Inman and wife Christine

Team of the Year The Ukrainian Family Hub

Everyday Hero Janet Adamson with friend Bev Chamberlain

Courage Award winner Esther Ghey, her partner Wes Powell, Emma Mills, headteacher at Birchwood Community High School and former Warrington Guardian reporter Tom Bedworth

Here are all the winners of this year’s Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards:

CHILD / TEENAGER OF THE YEAR sponsored by Christeyns

We wanted to honour 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.

Winner: Violet Smith

Highly commended: Eimear Slee and Thomas Long-Moore

JUNIOR FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

As with the fundraiser of the year category, we wanted to hear about those who have committed to raising money or who gave time to a good cause. But we wanted to give a separate award to honour the work of children or teenagers in Warrington.

Winner: Thomas Burrows

Highly commended: Harvey Goodman and Evie McCoy

FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

We wanted to hear about those who have committed to raising money or who gave time to a good cause. Nominations were welcome for individuals or groups.]

Winner: Lee Kinsey

Highly commended: Alana Bradshaw and Steve Hughes

CHARITY OF THE YEAR sponsored by Warrington Guardian

We were 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.

Winner: Warrington and Halton Hospitals Charity

Highly commended: Jump and Warrington VIP

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY sponsored by Sellafield Ltd

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

Winner: Kate McCarthy-Booth

Highly commended: Tony Dixon and Longford Neighbourhood Services Charity

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.

Winner: Stephen Burke

Highly commended: Emma Mills and Michelle Withnall and Emma Woodall

SPORTSPERSON/SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Jackson Fire and Security

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

Winner: Great Sankey High School Year 7 boys football team

Highly commended: Esme Heavy and Martyn Leech

HEALTH HERO OF THE YEAR sponsored by CHEC Warrington

We were 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.

Winner: Team Lunar (Home Birth Team) at Warrington Hospital

Highly commended: Dr Lucy Hyland and Mike Shaw

EVERYDAY HERO AWARD sponsored by Belong

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.

Winner: Janet Adamson

Highly commended: Rachel Munn and John Lewis

COURAGE AWARD sponsored by Redwood Bank

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 were received for individuals, teams or emergency services workers.

Winner: Esther Ghey

TEAM OF THE YEAR sponsored by LocaliQ

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

Winner: The Ukrainian Family Hub

Highly commended: Warrington Man V Fat and Knox & Son Funeral Directors

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD sponsored by Warrington Borough Council

This prestigious award would go to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in Warrington over a number of years.

Winner: Keith Inman