Nominate your Woman of Rochdale

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Dame Mary Peters, Marilyn Jones, Carole Kelly and Antony Cotton

Nominations are still open to find this year’s Woman of Rochdale. Springhill Hospice’s annual award celebrating women who have done something extraordinary in and for their community.

Nominations should be between 200 and 500 words and describe exactly what sets your community champion apart from others. She could be part of a local community group, charity or just carry out pure acts of kindness.

Submissions will be considered by an all women committee, made up of local ladies from all walks of life, from lawyers to councillors, businesswomen to retirees.

Please note that your nominee can only be considered if she passes the following criteria:

• She must work or live in the borough of Rochdale
• She must not already have received a Royal award
• She must be an ‘unsung’ member of the general public having voluntarily given of her time and efforts to improve the lives of others within the Rochdale Borough

The last luncheon in 2019 saw Carole Kelly, an inspiring mother of three, become Rochdale’s 27th Woman of Rochdale. Carole became the main carer for her son Josh when he was just four months old but found that there was a huge gap in the system in order to enable families of disabled children and children with special needs to connect with one another.

Carole created 'Jolly Josh’ in the hope to bring families together, to share experiences, exchange information and eliminate isolation. Josh sadly died on 27 August 2017, just one month before Jolly Josh was due to begin but his memory shines through the Jolly Josh play and stay sessions, having become a lifeline for many local families who are caring for children living with a disability.

The 28th annual Women of Rochdale Luncheon – which is now sold out – will take place at Rochdale Golf Club on Friday 29 April, once again generously sponsored by Mike Goldrick Window Blinds and Jackson Jackson and Sons Ltd.

This year, the luncheon will incorporate a delicious three course luncheon with a variety of entertainment from saxophonist Dan Gribbin, close up magician Ian Lavin and more. This year’s entertainment has been kindly sponsored by Performance Doorset Solutions.

If you want to nominate someone for this year’s ‘Woman of the Year’ award, please complete the form on the hospice website, www.springhill.org.uk/events/womenofrochdale

Alternatively, you can email your nomination and endorsement to victoria.murray8@nhs.net. Your cover letter/email should be of no more than 500 words and the closing date for nominations to be received is Monday 28 March.