Southport Pleasureland Sponsors Inaugural Pride of Sefton Awards
Photo by Kevin Brown Photograph

SOUTHPORT Pleasureland, the iconic Merseyside amusement park, sponsored the Child of Courage Award in this year's inaugural Pride of Sefton Awards. Ever since its gates opened to the public over 110 years ago, Southport Pleasureland has had a long and rich history of providing entertainment for children and their families in the local area. The park's focus on championing family values and its significant investment in creating a world-class attraction for children to enjoy meant sponsorship of the Child of Courage Award was a perfect fit.

An initiative organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport, the Pride of Sefton Awards is a celebration of local heroes deserving recognition. Nominations for 13 categories were sought from residents across the borough, including:- the Child of Courage Award, which honours children who have shown remarkable courage in the face of adversity.

After an inundation of incredibly worthy nominations, which resulted in a very tough decision for the judging panel, two children were selected to receive the Child of Courage Award at the highly anticipated ceremony which took place at The Grand in Southport. Along with their awards, winners Jessica Dowle and Theo Graham have both been gifted by Southport Pleasureland a family pass to enjoy a day at the park.

Children's champion Jessica Dowle, aged eight, has had a colostomy stoma since age four and is making huge efforts to raise awareness for children with stomas. Jessica has become a leading ambassador for the charity A Bear Named Buttony, which she has raised over £24,000 for. Jessica has been an inspiration to many, including Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts who is on her own cancer journey, whilst still battling daily herself.

Theo Graham, aged 10, was born 10 weeks prematurely. Since then, Theo and his family have raised funds for Ormskirk Neonatal Unit through various events, raising enough money for a transport incubator. Theo has been a patient of Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which has given Theo a wonderful role this year as a Young Ambassador for his commitment and dedication to his fundraising, from 3 months old and is still a patient there today. Theo is currently raising money for the Surgical Neonatal Unit at Alder Hey, which will offer 22 neonatal cots and 18 individual family rooms so parents can be alongside their poorly new-borns whilst they receive expert care - the first of its kind in the UK.

CEO of Southport Pleasureland, Normal Wallis, said:- "Listening to the extraordinary stories of the Child of Courage Award nominees and discovering how each of these children have demonstrated immense courage has been truly humbling. There are so many individuals and organisations doing incredible things for the borough. The Pride of Sefton Awards are a fantastic initiative, giving us as a community a reason to come together and celebrate the efforts of those going above and beyond to make Sefton a special place to live and work."

For more information on Southport Pleasureland or to purchase tickets visit:- SouthportPleasureland.Com.

Discover Ukraine at Liverpool's Eurovision Village

UKRAINIAN culture is to be celebrated at the heart of Liverpool's Eurovision celebrations. Liverpool's official Eurovision Village (fan zone), at the world famous Pier Head, will have a distinctive Ukrainian flavour - thanks to a dedicated area celebrating the country's culture and people.
 
'Discover Ukraine' will be a unique, dedicated area located in front of the Port of Liverpool building where visitors can experience the diversity of the country through food, drink, crafts, fashion, workshops and exhibitions.
 
On the menu includes traditional delights such as borscht with smoked pears, chebureki (deep fried dough with lamb mince and herbs) and dumplings with cherries; just some of the wide range of dishes which make up a key part of Ukraine's traditional cuisine.
 
An interactive area called:- 'See, hear, feel Ukraine' delves into the importance of Ukrainian music and culture; spotlighting influential moments which have shaped the country's music scene. A VR element will give people the opportunity to experience what it would be like to fly over Kyiv or Lake Synevyr; the largest and deepest alpine lake in Ukraine. One powerful element will also enable people to see for themselves the devastation the war has had on the landscape. 
 
A Visit Ukraine area tells the story from the perspective of people living there, and with a huge steel heart display, it will become one of the selfie spots of the site.
 
A Kyiv-based bakery Good Bread will donate all of its profits to support a charity which supplies bread for Ukrainians in need in the de-occupied and frontline territories. 
 
I Am Volya is a UK based online boutique of Ukrainian designers and creators will bring an authenticity and uniqueness of Ukrainian modern culture. The curated selection of brands showcases a mix of well established Ukrainian designers and emerging talents.
 
Bravery; brand which name speaks for itself and unites everyone around the world; will transfer a part of the value of each stylish product to the UNITED24 fundraising platform for rebuilding Ukraine.
 
There will also be information stands on site where people can find out more about the Homes for Ukraine scheme and other initiatives that aim to support displaced Ukrainians.
 
All vendors at Liverpool's Eurovision Village have signed up to an agreement to try to not use or supply single use plastic. The agreement is part of Liverpool's bid to be the most sustainable Eurovision Host City in the event's history.

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan CBE, said:- "Ukraine is at the heart of everything we are delivering as the host City. When we were bidding to stage this event, we were clear that the country and its people would be the thread that runs through everything we deliver and to be honest it's pretty emotional to see all those plans become a reality. We are planning on welcoming thousands of people every day to the Village so where better than to programme and curate a whole area which will enable people to experience some of the wonderful Ukrainian culture for themselves. The plans have been really embraced by the Ukrainian community; in Liverpool and in their home country; and I can't wait to spend time in the fan zone and discover more about this incredible country."
 
Veronika Yasynska, manager of the Discover Ukraine project, said:- "Isn't great to have a space where you can discover something new about different culture, to try a new cuisine, get to know more about the history of Ukrainian music and buy something that will always remind you about this special moment.  And of course, one of the main goals is to invite everyone to visit our beautiful and diverse country 1 day."  
 
Ievhen Klopotenko, a Ukrainian chef working at the Village said:- "Cuisine is a business card of any country. And I'm glad that the huge Eurovision community and guests of Liverpool will be able to discover the real Ukraine. Much brighter and stronger than the one they had in their minds before. And believe me, Ukrainian cuisine has something to surprise them."
 
Maria Lypiatska, Head of BRAND UKRAINE and Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said:- "The Ukraine.ua space tells the story of real Ukraine, where beauty lives next to the reality of war. We want to show foreigners #WhatWeAreFightingFor and encourage them to open their hearts to Ukraine." 

Kateryna Marusovksa leader of the Bravery brand, said:- "We present the clothing line of Ukraine - Be Brave, but it's not just clothing. "Be Brave" is a slogan that emerged at the beginning of the war to unite Ukrainians and as a call to foreigners to support our country. Our presence at this event is crucial for us; we are trying to find any opportunity to help Ukraine and its people withstand it. We want our country to thrive and are doing everything possible. We ask for support and, in return, offer Ukrainian products, which is a double benefit; customers receive a gift for themselves while also contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine."
 
For full details of what Discover Ukraine has to offer, please visit Visit Liverpool website.