Winners of the Women of Whitworth Project Rose Awards

Date published: 07 October 2023

Amazing women in the Whitworth community were celebrated at the 2023 Women of Whitworth Project Rose Awards at the Berni Inn on Saturday 30 September.

The event, organised by Kimberley Ashworth and Naomi Burke, was a resounding success, recognising a number of local women and raising £150 for local causes.

Dr Jessica Ormrod was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 25 years’ service to the medical profession.

Kath Proctor and Angela Forster received the People’s Choice Award for providing a support group through Stronger Together Unpaid Carers Group.

Helen Kowal received the Children & Young People Award, volunteering for 27 years as a guide leader for the Rossendale girl guiding division and supporting young girls, as well as being a full-time teacher.

Imogen Webster, 12, who competes internationally and represents Valley Thai Boxing Club, was presented with the Sport Award.

Aimee Walker was given the Business & Enterprise Award for being an unsung hero during Covid with her son’s ‘caterpillar trail’ as well as being a local business owner of Alfie’s Wardrobe.

The Care in the Community Award was presented to Whitworth In Bloom for continually maintaining all communal areas in the community and ensuring that litter and graffiti are always kept on top of.

The Lighthouse Community Foodshare, Whitworth, received the Community Projects Award for continuing their good work and much-needed provision in the community.

Entertainment on the night was provided by Harriet Williams.

The Women of Whitworth Project celebrated five years in January 2023. In that time, it has celebrated over 300 girls and women, raised over £17,500 which has gone straight back into the community, held awareness events, helped change legislation around period poverty, provided thousands of toys for children at Christmas, provided over thousands of meals during the pandemic and also ensured that Whitworth had its first ever Honorary Townswoman.

Photos with kind permission from Howard Wilkinson.