The Lord-Lieutenant and Julie Lawson BEM DL visited Southport recently to meet with some of the people involved in last year’s incident who received Pride of Sefton awards. We thank them all for the huge efforts they go to to make their community a better place for all.
The Stand Up for Southport website reported, “Incredible people from Southport who do so much for the community were honoured with a special visit by Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell and Deputy Lieutenant Julie Lawson BEM.
“The meeting took place at The Grand in Southport and included presentations to some of the winners in this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
“They included ‘Sarah’, a brave 14-year-old who saved the lives of several younger children in the Southport tragedy last summer.
“Over the past few months ‘Sarah’ has raised funds for charity and awareness by running in the Mini Marathon in London, as well as campaigning on the issue of knife crime.
“‘Sarah’ won a Sefton Child of Courage Award sponsored by Adventure Coast Southport at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Mark Blundell and Julie Lawson BEM enjoyed spending time listening to her plans for helping people in the future and about her experiences.
“They presented a Sefton Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Fletchers Solicitors to Steve Mitton, Pamela Mitton, Tommy Mitton and Summer Mitton.
“This kind-hearted family on Hart Street in Southport opened their doors on the day of the tragedy and cared for children who had been wounded last summer, as they called for emergency services to respond.
“Ibrahim Hussein, the Imam at Southport Mosque, was presented with a Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award sponsored by Sefton Council.
“He was inside the Mosque when it was attacked by rioters just 24 hours after the Southport tragedy.
“Since then he has stood tall as an impressive community leader in Southport, a sane and uniting voice during turbulent times.
“He supported the clean-up operation after the riot; has held open days at the mosque; and in the Walk Of Unity in Southport. The Imam was among Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders, local politicians, community leaders and members of the public today who took part in a Walk Of Unity from Southport Mosque on Sussex Road to Southport Synagogue on Arnside Road.
Also thanked on the day were several volunteers from Lord Street In Bloom.”
