New Miss Liverpool City Region 2020/2021 reviled

ON Sunday, 13 December 2020, the new Miss Liverpool City Region for both 2020 and 2021 was announced. Big thanks to the outgoing Miss Liverpool City Region, Finley Unsworth, who did a fantastic job as an Ambassador for the area, over her extended year. We wish her good luck with her next venture which we are told she has now undertaken. Check out her Facebook Page for updates…

This has been an incredibly hard year for the contestants who have all done a considerable amount to raise cash and also helped to promote many good causes throughout area throughout the UK lockdowns. When restrictions allowed, they also helped our Communities by engaging in a range of tasks from litter picking in Hightown to helping with the clean up the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, in Bootle. And that was just a sample of the many things these girls did. You have all been amazing and we are extremely pleased to hear you are also going to continue to do this in 2021.

So, now to the big question… Who is Miss Liverpool City Region 2020/2021? We can now announce that it is Poppy Gerrard, who Comes from the Wirral. Poppy will now become the next Ambassador for the Liverpool City Region, representing us at the Miss England Contest, in 2021. If lucky, she might also become Miss England and go on to Miss World! The last Miss England from the North West was Preston's Elizabeth Grant! Poppy is now sponsored by both VAMPhire.Com and Holistic Realignment.

Marcus from Holistic Realignment said:- "This contest is far more than what most people think it is about, and I have been extremely impressed by the previous Miss Liverpool City Regions, who have attended many of the events we work at, like the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament. Most of the work they do is often hidden and I look forward to seeing Poppy as she takes on the role of Miss Liverpool City Region in 2021."

Patrick from VAMPHire.Com said:- "The title it is about raising cash for good causes and setting a good example for others to follow and the out going Miss Liverpool City Region, Finley Unsworth, has done just that. It has been a pleasure to have worked with Finley over her year as Miss Liverpool City Region 2019. Sadly, I was not able attended on Sunday, but I have seen her and all the other girls doing an amazing job over 2021, helping the local Community. I have seen them in a variety of situations getting their hands dirty cleaning litter to performing in online concerts. All the girls have put so much into this year's contest. I always say that I would not like to have judged them, but this year must have been even more difficult because of the circumstances the contestants have had to Compete under. The preceding title holders have set a high benchmark for Poppy to follow and I look forward to working with Poppy. I know she will be a fantastic Ambassador for the area."

Miss Liverpool City Region Organiser, Pat Hughes:- "What an unusual year 2020 has been. All the girls who entered did an amazing job of supporting the Community and raising money for charity throughout this extremely difficult year. Sadly, only we can only have 1 Miss Liverpool City Region and this year it is Poppy Gerrard. If you want to book Poppy for a Charity or School event in 2021, please get in contact with us. If Covid19 restrictions allow and if she is available, we will consider your request. We expect her to have an extremely busy year head, so the sooner you make a request, the sooner we can put you on the list. You can get all the information on our website:- Miss-Liverpool-City-Region.Com/Contact.SHTML."

Gift Appeal aims to bring Christmas joy to vulnerable young people

LIVERPOOL residents are being asked to show their legendary generosity to make sure that some of our City's most vulnerable young people have a present to open this Christmas. Last week, Liverpool City Council launched its annual staff Christmas Gift Appeal which asks employees to donate items that will be given to young people who are leaving the care system. Over 100 presents were donated in the appeal's 1st few days, but now, for the 1st time ever, the appeal is being opened up to the wider public.

The annual appeal, which has been run by Council staff for the last 8 years, ensures that young people who are setting up new lives for themselves as well as other vulnerable young people have at least 1 present to open during the festive period. More than 450 young people are currently receiving support and guidance from the Council as they move out of the care system to live independently. This number has increased from 176 last year, partly due to the rise in young people seeking asylum. With limited or no family around them, the gift appeal ensures they each receive at least 1 present at Christmas.

Gifts will also be shared with teenagers from 280 vulnerable families who are currently being helped by the Council's Family Support team. The appeal is being run via an Amazon Wish List to make it as convenient and Covid safe as possible for people to make a donation. Team managers from the Council's Children's Rights and Participation and Family Support teams have added to the wish list all the items they would like in order to give care leavers and teenagers in vulnerable families a gift. The focus is on older children as it is teenagers who often miss out on receiving a gift in favour of younger children.

Gifts on the list include:-

► Aftershave / perfume.
► Body sprays.
► Hats, scarves and gloves.
► Socks.
► Chocolate.

There are a range of items available to purchase starting from ₤3.50 and every contribution will be wrapped and distributed by Council staff in time for Christmas.

How it works:-

► An Amazon Wish List has been created so you can choose a gift at the touch of a button.
► You will need an Amazon account to be able to take part.
► Click on the gift(s) you would like to purchase and add them to your basket.
► Go to your basket.
► Sign into your account.
► Select 'Childrens Rights - Julie Cashin's Gift Registry Address' as your delivery address.
► Complete your purchase.
► Your gift will be dispatched to the delivery address registered by Julie Cashin.
► ulie will share donations with the Family Support Team so each receives donations.

Councillor Lynnie Hinnigan, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said:- "I am rightly proud of everything that Council staff have done in recent years to offer a helping hand to vulnerable young people at this special time of year. Sadly this Christmas we have an unprecedented number being supported, both through our care system and family support services, and making sure each person gets a gift to open on the big day is a challenge. Our Christmas wish is for the people of Liverpool to help us out in any way they can, every box of chocolates, or set of gloves donated will be unwrapped and cherished on Christmas Day."

Julie Cashin, Children's Rights and Participation Manager, said:- "We are always extremely grateful to our Liverpool City Council family for helping us support some of the most vulnerable young people in our beloved city. It is exciting that the appeal has now gone out to the public. We know Liverpool people are renowned for their generosity and will do whatever they can, during these challenging times, to help out."

Jane Carrington, Team Manager of the Family Support Team adds:- "We would like to say a very big thank you from the family support service to everyone who donates and supports our teenagers, some of whom don't always receive as many gifts as our younger children. They will really appreciate your kindness especially after such a difficult year."