Three inspirational women from Sefton and a Bootle-based voluntary service have been named finalists in the Merseyside Women of the Year awards 2019 and a public vote has been opened to decide the overall Merseyside Woman of the Year.

Laura Hughes, Margot Walker and Brenda Porter will join Bootle-based organisation RASA to make the shortlist of 26 unsung heroes from across the region at the annual independent awards ceremony on Friday 28 June 2019 at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre.

The categories for 2019 are Women’s Group, Young Apprentice, Arts & Media, Entrepreneur, Inspirational Woman, One to Watch, Social Impact, Woman of Courage, Business Leader, Woman Making a Difference and Community Change.

Laura Hughes, Formby, Sefton – Laura Hughes is the sister of Colin McGinty, who was brutally stabbed to death. She campaigns to prevent young people carrying knives and ensure that other families don’t endure the pain hers has suffered.

Margot Walker, Blundellsands, Sefton – Margot’s independent family-run pawnbrokers has survived despite competition from large national companies for over 100 years. For many years she was the only woman representative of the National Council of Pawnbrokers, eventually becoming President.

Brenda Porter, Ainsdale, Sefton – Eighty-year-old Brenda is a tireless “Champion of the Community” in Ainsdale and her impact is far reaching. Brenda has not let much get in her way but her age and gender have meant that she has always had to work harder to prove herself.

RASA, Bootle, Sefton – RASA has worked tirelessly for almost 35 years to support victims of rape and sexual abuse. The small grassroots voluntary service welcomes close to 3,000 new clients each year.

A public vote is now open to decide the overall “woman of the year” (closes 10th June).  The winner will be announced at the annual ceremony on 28th June.

To find out more about the finalists and vote for your Merseyside Woman of the Year 2019 click here.