Cheshire Woman Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates the achievements of remarkable women residing in Cheshire and Wirral.
We honour ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
It honours women who have demonstrated personal courage, outstanding professional success, or exceptional service to their communities.
It also functions as a fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting the NSPCC and their work supporting children in Cheshire and Wirral.
2026 Winner – Cheshire Woman of the Year
Jessica Gallier-Booth
Jessica Gallier-Booth is the Founder and CEO of The Martin Gallier Project, a pioneering suicide prevention, intervention and postvention charity created from both heartbreak and hope.
After losing her father, Martin Gallier, to suicide in 2017, Jessica transformed devastating personal grief into a mission to ensure that nobody facing suicide crisis feels alone, unheard, or without hope. What began in the depths of loss has grown into a life-saving movement, with The Martin Gallier Project now delivering 60,021 suicide interventions and becoming a vital lifeline for thousands of people and families navigating crisis.
Under Jessica’s leadership, The Martin Gallier Project has become internationally recognised for its compassionate and groundbreaking approach to suicide crisis support, providing immediate, non-clinical interventions on the high street with no waiting list, no criteria, and no barriers to access. The charity’s innovative model has not only challenged traditional crisis pathways nationally, but has also shown the extraordinary power of human connection, compassion, and community-led support working alongside the NHS and statutory services.
Driven by both lived experience and unwavering determination, Jessica is a passionate advocate for hope, early intervention, and creating Suicide Safer Communities where nobody has to face crisis alone. Through The Martin Gallier Project, she continues to prove that even in the darkest moments, hope can be found, lives can be saved, and suicide is preventable.
“I am incredibly honoured and honestly quite overwhelmed to receive this award. This recognition belongs not just to me, but to the entire Martin Gallier Project team, our amazing staff, volunteers, trustees, funders, partners, and supporters. Most importantly this award belongs to every person who has bravely trusted us during some of the darkest moments of their lives. I would like to dedicate this to them.
What began in the depths of my heartbreak has grown into a movement built on hope, compassion and community. I hope this award, and this journey, remind people that lived experience can create real and lasting change, and that we must always have the courage to stand up for what we believe in, even when we stand alone. In time, others will stand beside you, and that is how movements and communities are built.
Suicide prevention is everybody’s business, and I truly believe that when communities come together with compassion and courage, lives can be saved. I’m deeply grateful to the Cheshire Woman of the Year Awards not only for this recognition, but for standing in solidarity with a movement that is changing the way we respond to suicide crisis and proving that hope and human connection save lives.”
2026 NOMINEES
Lucinda Abell
Category: Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Lucinda transformed lives across Cheshire through inclusive, evidence-based fitness. Known for compassion and expertise, she supports those with injuries and low confidence, delivers programmes, lectures, and advances women-focused sports inclusion and innovation.
Danni Adams
Category: Community
Danni, founder of Blades Down, uses lived experience of knife crime to deliver trauma-informed education and prevention. She empowers young people, unites communities, and turns personal pain into life-saving change.
Sherin Akhtar
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Sherin, first British Bangladeshi Muslim Lord Mayor of Chester, is a former youth and social worker who champions community pride, supports women and young people, and proudly serves her city.
Gill Bradburn
Category: Community
Gill is a dedicated volunteer with Northwich Hedgehog Rescue, running a satellite unit since 2024. She fundraises, manages operations, raises awareness, and transformed her garden into a safe haven for rescued hedgehogs.
Tracy Brewer
Category: Community
Tracey, Registered Mental Health Nurse, co-founded Cheshire Horse Sanctuary in 2015. She combines mental health and equine care using EAGALA methods, supporting rehabilitation, education, refuge, and community-focused programmes for people and horses.
Katie Brown
Category: Personal Courage, Community
Katie, founder of Toppers of Northwich, turned adversity into creativity after a spinal injury. She revived knitting, creating public art and a 100-plus member group, embracing connection, joy, and community skills in Northwich.
Katrina Bury
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Katrina, a scientist-turned-charity leader, has transformed Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, growing income from £1.6m to £4.6m. She drives patient care, research, and arts programmes, inspiring staff and improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Sue Chatt
Category: Community
Sue has dedicated over 50 years to Salt & Pepper Productions, promoting inclusive community theatre and supporting Headway. She mentors volunteers, leads productions, and fosters creativity, confidence, and community spirit.
Sara Crosland
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Sara is a brain-tumour survivor, endurance athlete, and founder of The Beyond Recovery Project. She empowers survivors through community, nature-based activities, and shared experience, inspiring resilience, hope, and life beyond diagnosis.
Deborah Dixon
Category: Personal Courage
Deborah turned the loss of her son into lifesaving action, raising over £850,000 and funding 10,000 heart screenings. She campaigns tirelessly for awareness, education, and national screening, transforming grief into hope and saving lives.
Gillian Edwards
Category: Community
Gillian, Independent Councillor for Weaver and Cuddington, goes above and beyond for her community. With charity experience, she listens, acts, and delivers practical solutions with determination, empathy, and commitment.
Kate Ellis
Category: Community
Kate is an inspirational community champion and founder of One Project Macclesfield. She supports vulnerable people, reduces waste, provides free food, and empowers volunteers with strength, kindness, and unwavering commitment.
Jessica Gallier-Booth
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Jessica founded The Martin Gallier Project after losing her father to suicide. It provides immediate, barrier-free crisis support, delivering life-saving interventions, training, and education, creating a nationally recognised model for suicide prevention.
Helen Gill
Category: Community
Helen has supported wild hedgehogs since 2007, founding Northwich Hedgehog Rescue in 2020. Through rescue, education, fundraising, and outreach, she champions conservation and builds a dedicated volunteer network protecting hedgehogs.
Kim Griffiths
Category: Community
Kim has devoted over 25 years to her community, leading school PTAs, fundraising events, TEDxNorthwich and ReAwards. She supports families, coordinates volunteers, and delivers practical help with reliability, compassion, and warmth.
Carys Hammond
Category: Community, Personal Courage, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Carys is a dedicated midwife with over two decades’ experience. She serves women and families with compassion and equity, leads calmly under pressure, mentors staff, and inspires through resilience.
Lynda Hesketh
Category: Community
Lynda has led Chester Phab for 32 years, creating an inclusive space where people of all abilities thrive. Her compassion and dedication build confidence, friendships, belonging, and stronger community inclusion across Chester.
Sandra Higgins
Category: Community
Sandra has devoted over 15 years to supporting children, families, and her community. Through PTA leadership, fundraising, food rescue, and volunteering, she inspires others with determination, leadership, and lasting impact.
Jayne Hughes
Category: Personal Courage
Jayne founded Amy and Friends after her daughter’s diagnosis with Cockayne Syndrome. She supports families globally, improves care, drives research, and provides compassionate end-of-life support while campaigning for better treatments and awareness.
Patsy Hummerston
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Patsy, CEO of Holistic Cancer Centre, is an oncology nurse and counsellor leading holistic cancer support. Her compassion, leadership, and fundraising ensure free wellbeing services that ease stress and restore hope.
Mary Lamb
Category: Personal Courage
Mary has supported Dogs for Good since 2012. Despite disability and pain, she fundraises, speaks, and undertakes challenges, inspiring others and transforming lives through assistance dogs and independence support.
Alison Langley
Category: Community
Alison is a compassionate community champion dedicated to fairness, dignity, and supporting the vulnerable. Through leadership and kindness she empowers others, coordinates support, inspires volunteers, and strengthens communities through selfless action.
Frances Langman
Category: Community
Frances has fundraised for Guide Dogs for over 20 years, raising thousands annually. She organises events, gives talks, supports visually impaired people, helps rehome guide dogs, and runs activities and community groups.
Julie Lavington
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Julie built a successful fashion media career, launching Look magazine and leading InStyle UK. An award-winning publishing director, she has developed major brands, driven growth, and built customer-focused businesses across media and fashion.
Samantha Lomas
Category: Community
Samantha is a dedicated community leader balancing family and business while championing local causes. Through fundraising, sponsorship, and charity events she unites communities, empowers women, and creates lasting positive impact across Cheshire.
Jane Loughran
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Jane is a resilient, compassionate single mother and advocate. She supports parents of deaf children, provides respite fostering, and serves as a school governor. Her dedication transforms lives and inspires her community.
Wendy Mackie MBE
Category: Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Wendy, MBE recipient, has dedicated over 25 years to supporting young people outside mainstream education. Founder of Works4U, she provides vocational learning, community projects, and animal therapy, empowering learners to thrive.
Sandra Manning
Category: Community
Sandra leads Wirral University Hospital’s volunteers with compassion and dedication. She recruits, trains, and supports them, building confidence, creating opportunities, and transforming lives while strengthening the hospital community through kindness and belief in people.
Kay Maple
Category: Personal Courage, Community
Kay, founder of Cheshire Roses, supports women affected by cancer after her own journey. She provides friendship, workshops, and treatments, creating a safe, empowering community despite her ongoing health challenges.
Louise Matthews
Category: Personal Courage, Community
Louise founded Women Talk Freely to empower women in Northwich. After overcoming depression during COVID, she created safe spaces for peer support, raised £3,000 for charity, and inspires confidence through coaching and fitness.
Gillian McKinnon
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Gillian is a passionate advocate for truth, equality and justice, supporting women and vulnerable groups. At Warrington Women’s Aid she provides refuge, guidance and resources with empathy, integrity and determination.
Gena Moors
Category: Personal Courage, Community
Gena launched the Splash of Pink campaign after breast cancer treatment at Macclesfield Hospital. She has raised £59,000 for a life-saving ultrasound machine, spreading awareness and transforming gratitude into lasting community impact.
Carly Openshaw
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Carly founded Tiny Tools for Big Feelings CIC, offering trauma-informed support for anxiety and neurodivergence. She empowers families through accessible, compassionate programmes that build confidence, resilience, and community. connections.
Khatra Paterson
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Khatra, as a Survivor Ambassador for Savera UK, supports survivors, educates professionals, and helps communities move from silence to safeguarding, increasing awareness, early intervention, and protection for girls at risk of FGM.
Fatima Perriman
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Fatima, Chartered Accountant and Head of Finance at YMCA Cheshire, leads with expertise and compassion. From humble beginnings in Ghana, she empowers staff, strengthens systems, and builds resilient, inclusive organisation.
Sarah Pickles
Category: Community
Sarah, having faced breast cancer and the BRCA gene in her thirties, balances family life while supporting others. Through her annual awards, she connects women, shares her story, and inspires courage, community, and hope.
Libby Potter
Category: Community
Libby, a retired nurse, co-founded Signing for Babies, supporting families of children with Down Syndrome. Through weekly sessions, she teaches sign language, builds community, and offers vital support.
Caroline Slee
Category: Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Caroline dedicated her career to nursing specialising in wound care across West Wirral known for expertise compassion Supports vulnerable patients after retirement returned part-time to ensure continuity of and lasting difference
Claire Steele
Category: Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
After losing her mother to cancer, Claire provides free 3D areola tattooing for mastectomy patients. She supports charities, raises funds, and restores confidence with compassionate care, helping people rebuild lives after cancer.
Anna Sykes
Category: Personal Courage, Community, Outstanding Professional Achievement
Anna founded Free Cakes for Kids Northwich in 2021, providing cakes for children in need. A dedicated volunteer, she supports families and strengthens her local community.
Helen Tandy
Category: Outstanding Professional Achievement
Helen has driven environmental change across Cheshire, founding Eco Communities and Sustainable Cheshire. She leads events and campaigns, promotes sustainability, and balances this with her role in ethical finance.
Susan Vonledebur
Category: Community
Susan founded The Cheshire Club in Chester, creating an inclusive space for businesses, charities, and civic leaders to connect, share stories, build confidence, and collaborate, strengthening community ties and shared purpose.
Victoria Walton
Category: Community
Vicky is a vibrant community champion at St Luke’s Church, raising funds and creating inclusive activities. Advocating for neurodivergent children, she inspires families, teachers, and the Wirral community.
Cate Warbrick
Category: Community
Cate has been a Church and community lay development worker in Hoylake since 2018, supporting residents through hardship. She builds unity, listens to all voices, and fosters compassion, helping calm unrest and strengthen community inclusion.
Jackie Wild
Category: Community
Jackie has dedicated 40 years to 12th Bebington Scout Group, inspiring young people through meetings, camps, and events. Her commitment and passion make her an invaluable volunteer and role model.
Moira Yeamans
Category: Community
Moira, a founder of Lymm Jubilee WI in 1965, has given 60 years to community service, promoting women’s sports, supporting events, and volunteering locally, inspiring her village with dedication.
The following businesses made a pledge for our 2026 event - thank you!
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past awards
2025 Cheshire Woman Awards
2025 Winner - Cheshire Woman of the YearEsther Ghey Esther Ghey is a mental health campaigner, author, and founder of Peace & Mind UK, a community interest company working to improve the mental health of young people and their families. After the tragic...
Cheshire Woman Awards 2024
2024 Winner - Cheshire Woman of the YearMel Kelly Mel Kelly has been described as a young visionary whose life and work for the community show her unwavering courage and compassion. Mel was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 22. In a split second, her world...
Cheshire Woman Awards 2023
2023 Winner - Cheshire Woman of the YearIje McDougall Ije McDougall is a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to helping others. She set up a charity called The Kairos Initiative which has made a real difference to the lives of many people around the world. As...
Cheshire Woman Awards are organised by Cheshire Woman Awards Committee who all volunteer their time.
The event relies on the support of sponsors and volunteers.
The event is also supported by the NSPCC.
Here’s what some of our ladies have said
Victoria Charlton
“It was absolutely amazing to be nominated for the Cheshire Woman Award. It was such a difficult time when we suddenly lost the dance school venue, but we just picked up the phone and started ringing round and within days we had venues sorted for all of the classes. It taught me that no matter what happens, you just have to take a deep breath and keep going.”
Suzanne Rippon
“I am so honoured to be here, but it’s not about me, we are all in it together. The Life Tree Cafe became a focal point during lockdown – a community safe haven, but I am here today to represent EVERYONE that’s been part of it.”
Julie Duff
“I am completely overwhelmed to have been nominated. It was totally unexpected, and I just feel so honoured that someone has taken the time to put me forward. It’s absolutely fantastic to be here today.”
Latest News
2026 Cheshire Woman Awards
2026 Winner Cheshire Woman of the YearJessica Gallier-Booth Jessica Gallier-Booth is the Founder and CEO of The Martin Gallier Project, a pioneering suicide prevention, intervention and postvention charity created from both heartbreak and hope. After losing her...
Chester’s Dee Radio talks about CWA on International Women’s Day 2026
Click on the link to read the article with the CWA's Alison Blackler talking to Chester's Dee Radio: https://www.dee1063.com/news/local-news/cheshire-woman-of-the-year-awards/
Community ReAwards Nomination
We are delighted to inform you that you have been shortlisted for the Charity Group with under 50 Volunteers. Congratulations!!! The shortlist is now with our Sponsors who will make the final decision on the winners of each category. We recognise your selfless...
CWA Committee Out & About
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can anyone buy tickets for the event?
A: No. Attendance at the event is for nominees only
Q: How can I get involved?
A: We welcome businesses to sponsor and donate prizes for our raffle or goodie bags
Q: As a nominee, can you tell me who nominated me?
A: We like to keep this a surprise, so we don’t say who nominated you. It makes it all the more special
Q: As a nominee, will my name be public?
A: In our initial letter, we ask you if you want to be mentioned – you have the option to say no here
Q: As a nominee, can I share my nomination on socials?
A: Of course, we encourage you to celebrate and shout about it
Q: Can you donate directly?
A: Yes, this will go with our contribution to the NSPCC – Click here to donate
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Nominations closed for 2026. Back later in the year for 2027.
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