Celebrating Community Heroes: Citizens 4 Good Honours Outstanding Individuals in Sefton

The latest Citizens 4 Good event, held at Bootle Town Hall, brought together community members to celebrate Sefton’s unsung heroes. This initiative recognises individuals whose acts of kindness and dedication have had a positive impact on their community.

The event, hosted by Sefton 4 Good and Sefton CVS in conjunction with the Mayor of Sefton’s Office, emphasised the importance of compassion, connection, and community spirit. Councillor June Burns, Mayor of Sefton, addressed attendees before the presentations began.

This event highlighted the outstanding contributions of local individuals, including a Crosby business and community-minded entrepreneur Greg Johnson. Among the nominees were two inspiring young people—Lily Ritchie, who established a Phab group in Southport to support children of all abilities, and 16-year-old Georgia McCarthy from Netherton, recognised for her volunteering at Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre.

The following individuals were honoured for their outstanding contributions:

• Williamsons Family Butchers– Sam and his team demonstrated remarkable generosity during the pandemic, delivering essential supplies and supporting the homeless. Sam’s fundraising efforts have provided vital mental health support in Sefton.

• Joanne Wormald– A champion of community welfare, Joanne collected over 70 bags of food donations during lockdown, founded a mental health-focused Community Interest Company, and launched free training initiatives to support well-being across Sefton.

• Alena Petrie, Cambridge Court– A dedicated leader in dementia and elder care, Alena has transformed Cambridge Court into a place of warmth and joy, ensuring residents and their families feel supported and valued.

• Greg Johnson– Working quietly behind the scenes, Greg has supported numerous local charities, provided food for food banks, funded mental health practitioners at Alder Hey, and mentored care leavers, helping them build brighter futures.

• Joan Ford, Derby Park– A tireless advocate for greener spaces, Joan has led community projects, including the Leicester Road Alley Garden and Derby Park restoration efforts, organising free events and keeping Bootle clean and vibrant.

• Lily Ritchie, Phab– Lily established a Phab group for children with disabilities and their families, providing a safe space for inclusion and confidence-building. She actively fundraises to sustain the group and will run the 2025 London Marathon for National Phab.

• Georgia McCarthy, Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre– A passionate young volunteer, Georgia has dedicated years to supporting individuals with additional needs. Her experience has led her to an international volunteer opportunity in Crete.

• Richard Moore, Southport Saviours– A driving force in community safety, Richard has helped install 32 defibrillators across Southport and actively trains residents in CPR, ensuring life-saving equipment and knowledge are accessible to all.