Five-star showing for Halton's champions

Nov 20 2008 By Adrian Short

 FIVE community heroes  from Halton enjoyed a presentation evening, the finale of the Trinity Mirror/Scottish Power Your  Champions 2008 Awards.

The Halton contingent was  joined by a host of other heroes and  heroines from across Cheshire  who were nominated by readers  of the Weekly News and our sister  newspapers.

The awards evening, hosted by  TV presenter Trevor Green,  Trinity Mirror Cheshire managing director Warren Butcher  and Scottish Power’s Richard  Tasker, also featured ex-footballer Ian St John as special  guest. The event, now in its 21st year,  was held at the Crowne Plaza  Hotel in Chester.

Mr Butcher told guests: “Our  newspapers and websites are not   always brimming with good  news stories so it gives me great  pleasure to chronicle all your  achievements.

“It’s you that make events like  these possible, but you see  yourselves as just normal people  and that’s what makes you all so  special.
“Tonight is your chance to be in  the spotlight.”

Runcorn & Widnes Champions

RUNCORN’S Samantha Newton received her award after being nominated for the title Champion of the Year for her work with the Canal Boat Adventure Project and the Nessie Club since the age of 13.

Samantha has done thousands of hours of voluntary work in Halton and its twin town Marzhan-Hellersdorf and supports youngsters who arrive at the project as victims of crime, bullying or bereavement.

She has also been a carer for her disabled father for many years and impressed Gordon Brown with stories of her many achievements.

Despite facing poverty and homelessness she is studying for a degree at John Moores University.

WADE Deacon High School headteacher Pamela Wright received her award for its nomination in the Champion Schools category.

She accepted it on behalf of the school and its chairman of governors of 20 years standing, John Woodroffe.

WIDNES sisters Rossi Walsh-O’Neill, four, and Ellie, eight, were presented with awards after being nominated for the Sporting Champion of the Year category.

The award was for their campaign in 2007 to muster extra support for Widnes Vikings after they were relegated from Superleague.

The girls wrote to famous people including Richard Branson and Mohammed Al-Fayed. They also asked garages to provide prizes for a raffle and led a campaign for a black and white day involving decking the town in the Vikings colours.

CHAMPION team nominees The Kingsway Bike Project received its award in recognition of its charity’s work.

Widnes couple Carl and Jackie Peck provide free training in cycle maintenance, improve public access to bicycles and give young people something to do in their spare time.

YOUNG Champion nominee Stacey Holmes was handed a prize in recognition of her work with the YMCA in Runcorn.

Her achievements include making a successful funding application for new sports equipment such as a pool table and football gear on behalf of the other young people.

She volunteers at the weekly YMCA football matches and recently represented other young homeless people at a meeting which enabled them to access vital services.