Inspirational women of Whitworth recognised

48 women were recognised for their community contributions at the Women of Whitworth event

Inspirational women were recognised for their community contributions at the annual Women of Whitworth Awards at the Riverside on Sunday 22 September.

The Women of Whitworth People’s Choice Award trophies were awarded to Dawn Duffy, of Duffy’s Funeral Directors, and Millie O’Shea, a local 16-year-old who has been battling cancer for a second time.

Millie was three when she was first diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour and, after surgery and 34 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was finally given the all clear in 2008.

In February this year, a large tumour was detected in Millie’s lung and further investigation found a multitude of smaller tumours in both lungs.

In April, after an operation, it was discovered the large tumour was connected to her heart, wrapped around her main artery and her trachea and so was inoperable. After six months, and 10 rounds of chemotherapy, the large tumour has shrunk by half, but two of the smaller ones have grown.

Millie has now enrolled at Hopwood Hall College on a beauty course as she is currently not physically able to take up a BTEC scholarship she secured at Rochdale AFC.

A Lifetime Achievement Award trophy was awarded to Anita Farrow, who has dedicated over 30 years to Whitworth and Healey Horticulture Society.

In total, 48 women were recognised for their contributions: Michelle Ashcroft, Jessica Banham, Danielle Blackburn, Leila Blackburn, Kim Blezard, Victoria Brown, Marie Buckley, Michelle Butterworth, Ella Chadwick, Sarah Chianca, Sarah Corke, Jayne Crooke, Emma Dalton, Dawn Duffy, Beverley Earnshaw, Lindsay Entwhistle, Anita Farrow, Emma Glendinning, Ruth Green Wood, Nikita Hanson-Walker, Nichola Helliwell, Maureen Jones, Sue Jubb, Samantha Keiley, Naomi Kenyon, Lynn Knight, Raye Lake, Cathryn Latham, Kayla Lewis, Lisa McDowell, Georgia Mellor, Ann Mundey, Keeley O'Shea, Millie O'Shea, Christine Oxford, Gill Pearson, Elizabeth Prior, Angela Rhodes, Karen Ruane, Shauna Simpson, Marjorie Smith, Rosemary Thompson, Aimee Walker, Allison Whinton and Natasha Williams.

The event raised £100 and received over 40 sanitary product donations, which will go back into the local community.

Kimberley Ashworth and Elizabeth Prior, who founded the project, were excited to see so many women recognised, and gave special thanks to everyone involved with the event.

Over the next few months, The Women of Whitworth Project will be providing a small donation to each of the primary schools in Whitworth. The children will decide how to spend the donation and vote on their favourite ideas. Ideas from last year included enterprising ventures to whole school rewards. The idea behind this is to instil young people with skills around leadership and teamwork.

The Women of Whitworth Project will also be writing Christmas cards which will be given out to elderly residents as part of the Christmas Day party provided by Marilyn Jones and her helpers at Thrum Hall Church.

If you would like to make a donation to the work of The Women of Whitworth Project, please contact: thewowproject2018@gmail.com