THERE are just a few weeks left for people in Warwickshire to enter awards dedicated to recognising inspirational women across the UK.
The fifth Ladies First Professional Development Awards will celebrate success stories while also raising funds and awareness for two Midlands charities, The Memory Box Foundation and Coventry Foodbank.
New categories celebrating creatives will be among the 22 this year, including Outstanding Woman In Sport, Outstanding Woman In Creative Arts and The Sandra Godley Music Award.
They are all categories which are close to the heart of one of Coventry’s own best-known creatives, Sandra Godley.
The TV and radio presenter and MOBO-nominated musician, said: “Music, sport and creativity are all extensions of wellbeing and mental health and we’re reflecting that through these award categories.
“Our communities need more role models, especially for young people. The more people can see others ‘like them‘ receiving awards, the better our communities will be envisioned.
“I’m also encouraged to see many passionate women stepping out and nominating themselves. This is so good. There is just so much talent out there to celebrate. I’m incredibly proud to be raising a diverse platform for people to shine.
“We’re getting enquiries nationally and internationally too, including the USA. This is really exciting as it shows that people are noticing what we’re doing and want to be part of it. Bring on the awards!”
The awards also honour, among others, New Business of the Year, Excellence In STEM, Unique Business, Family Business of the Year and Woman of Courage and see the return of the popular men’s category, Man of the Year.
Sandra Godley is also one half of the Ladies First leadership team, alongside Tracey McAtamney, from Balsall Common.
Tracey was this year named a Jubilee Awards’ Platinum Champion for her work with her charity Surviving Bereavement. Her new Memory Box Foundation, being launched in January, provides free Memory Boxes for children and young adults coping with bereavement and supports pop-up Bereavement Cafes in Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Balsall Common, Leamington Spa, Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Ahead of this year’s awards, she said: “We are already inspired by the quality of entries we’ve received so far. But please keep nominating those special women in your life, whether it is a family member, work colleague, friend or someone who has made a difference to your life or the lives of others. We want to hear their story. It is wonderful to be celebrating the successes of so many wonderful women of all ages and backgrounds.”
Finalists will be invited to an independent judging day at Metropolis in Coventry in January before the glittering awards night at Coombe Abbey Hotel on March 23rd.
The event, which is being sponsored by Janine Edwards Wealth Management of Balsall Common, Pertemps and Alsters Kelley, will also be raising money for The Memory Box Foundation and Coventry Foodbank.
Coventry Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks. It was established in January 2011 and is one of the largest foodbanks in the UK, feeding thousands of individuals and families each year. It partners with a wide range of care professionals who identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher as well as signposting them to other organisations to help resolve the longer-term problems that may have led them there.
Closing date for entries is January 6th and finalists will be selected by an independent panel at a judging event on February 7th, ahead of an awards ceremony at Coombe Abbey in Coventry on March 24th.
For further information about how to nominate, visit here
To enquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Tracey McAtamney here
