THREE people from Wirral are among 17 finalists competing for the title of Merseyside Woman of the year.

Fundraiser Jayne O’Gorman and community activists, Lucky Ali and Patricia Shea Halson are among the finalists who have been recognised for their work supporting and improving the lives of people in Merseyside and beyond, through their businesses, voluntary work, activism, charitable organisations, and creative endeavours.

With judges’ votes already counted, the finalists will now be put to a public vote to determine who will be the overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2023 will be, with voting open online now here

Jayne O'Gorman is described as 'a whirlwind wonder woman!'. A businesswoman working in the travel industry, Jayne dedicates her time to help others - cycling from Venice to Milan despite being unwell herself, organising events and volunteering at rare disease clinics and conferences. She has raised more than £100k for a variety of local charities, with some of that paying for a scientific/family medical conference for children with an average life expectancy of 12 years. She is a dynamic person who makes everyone she meets feel loved.

Lucky Ali is a community activist "with an extensive list of achievements". Lucky is caring, kind, genuine, hardworking and provides hope for future generations. She saved her student loan to open a local business that will have a positive impact on the local community, setting up a family-run business in Birkenhead providing a large variety of British and International food and grocery items and bridging a gap in the local market.

While studying, Lucky has worked as a medical laboratory scientist supporting the NHS in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in an Enterprise in the Life Sciences Challenge, to propose solutions to the challenge of recruiting diverse talent, successfully delivering a pitch with solutions that have already been implemented by Ashfield Health.

Lucky also took on a Digital Health Innovation Internship, working with a HealthTech start-up company with a mission to connect healthcare excellence with digital innovation to enhance Medicine and Healthcare. Lucky has also volunteered at Human Appeal on fundraising and events, including for Feed the Fasting 2020 Ramadan campaign and The Water Charity.

For more than 35 years, Patricia Shea Halson made a marked contribution to community and civic life in Merseyside through her work as a voluntary trustee of several charities that support vulnerable adults and children. Pat has devoted her time willingly to providing voluntary counselling services and support. many lives in Merseyside have been transformed and improved due to Pat’s voluntary work.

The 17 finalists Merseyside Women of the Year Awards:

  • Allison Furlong - Alfie’s Squad (Liverpool)
  • Amy Smythe - The Worry Wizard (Chester)
  • Ann Coffey - The Sunshine Group (Liverpool)
  • Chelcie Jewitt - Surviving in Scrubs (Sefton)
  • Claire Cathcart - Team 1C (St Helens)
  • Elissa Corrigan - Elle Sera (Liverpool)
  • Emma Jarvis - Parent Promise (Liverpool)
  • Hayli Kincade - Wavertree Community Gospel Choir (Liverpool)
  • Heather Evans and June Russell - The Halle O’Brien CIC (Liverpool)
  • Jayne O'Gorman – Fundraiser (Wirral)
  • Juliana Pinheiro Landim, Leigh-Angel Bevan & Tamasin Dunand – Katumba (Liverpool)
  • Lucky Ali – Community Activist (Wirral)
  • Michelle Smith - MPower People (Liverpool)
  • Patricia Shea Halson – Community Activist (Wirral)
  • Sarah Jackson - Hatters Digital Agency (Sefton)
  • Dr Sue Palmer-Conn - The Divorce Doctor (Liverpool)

The MWOTY awards, a sparkling celebration of exceptional women from across the region, will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday, June 30.

Founding director, Ellie Kerr, said: “Every year the nominations we receive absolutely bowl me over. There is so much heart, passion, and grit in the women who are working to make a difference in Merseyside and our judges certainly had a tough job!

"Our seventeen finalists are business leaders, activists, campaigners, volunteers, artists and changemakers – all using their time, skills, and energy to help others without asking anything for themselves.

"MWOTY has always been a platform for women who deserve to be in the spotlight so they can be seen, heard, and found. This year’s finalists are no exception and we’re looking forward to raising them up in June and celebrating their incredible achievements.”