Previous Winners

The Lesley Pearse Women of Courage Award 2009

Kerry-Ann Hindley of Glasgow
Nominated by: her partner Sarah

Kerry-Ann Hindley has overcome personal tragedies, hardship and a terribly troubled youth to take her experiences and turn them into something positive – helping others. After hitting rock bottom, Kerry-Ann stayed in a women's homeless hostel and there made a conscious decision to turn her life around and dedicate all her time to helping children who have shared similar experiences to hers. Kerry-Ann now works for the council in local schools teaching children life skills and keeping them on the right path, off the street and out of trouble.

The Four Finalists

Gemma Enolengila of Southampton
Nominated by: her friend Rebecca

Gemma has shown amazing dedication to educating Masai children. She has set up three schools in Arusha, Tanzania and also works with local tribeswomen to end the practice of female circumcision. She used her own money to set up a safe house dormitory for girls, after a 12 year old girl who had walked for 2 weeks to avoid circumcision was brought to her. While working in medicine for the UN in Tanzania, Gemma fell in love with a Masai warrior. Despite her whole family's wishes, following a near death experience, Gemma proclaimed her love for him. They are now married and have two children. She devotes all her time to helping the local people and divides her time between the UK and Tanzania.

Tina Fay of Hampshire
Nominated by: her friends

Tina, since discovering she has Motor Neurone Disease just over two years ago, has worked tirelessly to raise funds for researching the illness, raising some £35,000 so far. Tina previously battled cancer before developing Motor Neurone Disease and also now cares for her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease. Tina's health is deteriorating and she faces new daily challenges, which she handles with dignity and humour – the disease leads to loss of mobility, speech, swallowing and finally breathing. Her mobility is now poor but she refuses to give in, remaining humble, determined and courageous throughout her illness.

Sissy Rooney of Manchester
Nominated by: fellow entrepreneur Kate

Sissy has battled through extremely tough personal experiences, but still maintains a positive attitude and a selfless nature. Sissy became an ethical entrepreneur, inspiring children with similar stories to her own to feel proud and to aim for success in their lives. Sissy founded a company called Style Surgery, which uses fashion as a medium to instil confidence in disadvantaged children. She is now planning a fashion label, designed by young people in the UK, which will be manufactured ethically in India – with all the proceeds going to young people's charities.

Maureen Wales of Sunderland
Nominated by: her sister Olive

Maureen has worked incredibly hard with Social Services and Young offenders. Maureen works with Barnado's to keep children out of care – supplying support at home, resolving problems and championing children's rights within the education system. She is now working with disabled children as a social worker. During her career she has worked at a halfway house and has overcome all sorts of challenges during her work – even chasing off curb-crawlers prowling for prostitutes and has confronted pimps in her attempts to combat teenage prostitution. In addition, Maureen is also involved in supporting young carers (young children who look after their ill or disabled parents and guardians).

The Lesley Pearse Women of Courage Award 2007

Karen Baker of Harrow
Nominated by: her colleague, Angela

“I still have to pinch myself to remind me that I did actually win the award. I would like to thank Lesley and Penguin for even considering me for such a wonderful honour”

Karen has really made a difference to everyone around her. She provides full time support for her disabled daughter, Nicky, gives support to her colleagues in a busy role, and also looks after her father, who has Alzheimer's disease and needs a lot of care. Not only this, but Karen's husband has epilepsy and she is his key support. Her second daughter has also needed extra help with her education. On the side, Karen is pursuing a career in hairdressing and visits the elderly. She has also been learning sign language in her spare time. As if that wasn't enough, Karen herself has been living with cancer for years.

The Four Finalists

Julianne Durkin-O'Brien of Liverpool
Nominated by: her Mum, Julie

In 2008 Julianne was given the terrible news that her son, Conor, was suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 and would not live beyond his first birthday. Never giving up, Julianne took her son to the US where an eminent respiratory specialist, Dr John Bach recommended a programme of treatments to manage Conor's illness. However the treatment was expensive and Julianne raised funds tirelessly to help her son be happy and well. In spite of Julianne's efforts, in 2006 when Conor was 3, he was admitted to hospital where his lungs collapsed. Everyone thought he was to die, but doctors performed a tracheotomy and little Conor survived but was ventilator dependent and hospital bound. Julianne could not bear to see her little boy away from home and, using the same grit and determination rallied the hospital, a local Housing Association, friends and family to recreate Conor's hospital room in her own sitting room. Professionals were amazed at Julianne's determination and seven months ahead of schedule little Conor came home.

Nathalie Hodgson of Co. Durham
Nominated by: her friend, Shauna

Nathalie Hodgson has shown the most amazing courage since tragically losing her son, Ben in a freak accident in January 2007. Whilst doing his homework, 13-year-old Ben was chewing on his pen lid, which became lodged in his throat when he fell off his chair. Despite this tragic loss, Nathalie found the courage, determination and strength to carry on each day and to keep Ben's memory alive. Her passion to prevent the same thing from ever happening to anyone else is truly inspirational.

Nathalie has focused all of her grief and emotion into campaigning for better safety standards for pen lids. She has also organized many charity events to raise funds for equipment for the intensive care unit where Ben was cared for but later died.

Linda James of Cardiff
Nominated by: her son, James

Linda James discovered what every parent dreads – that her son Alex was being bullied at school. He'd tried to hide it, but the effect it had on him was so profound that Linda realized something was dreadfully wrong and persuaded Alex to tell her what was going on. Herself the victim of bullying at school, Linda took it upon herself to help not only her son, but others going through the same feelings of vulnerability and helplessness. In early 2006 she founded Bulliesout, now a registered charity. She is passionate in her belief that no one has the right to hurt another individual and fulfills her role in the charity with constant determination and motivation; organizing fundraising events, training volunteers, and writing literature in order to inform and advise.

Nadine Walters of Godalming
Nominated by: her friend, Marie

At age 13 Nadine discovered she had developed a cancerous tumour which could only be eradicated by removing 90% of her shin bone. This resulted in Nadine having an open wound and having to rely on crutches to walk for 2 years, during which time she had rigorous Chemotherapy. Her cancer returned soon after and Nadine was given 3 weeks to live, but after a trip to South Africa, leukaemia was diagnosed, which was cured through treatment. She has now been in remission for 15 years.

Doctors said that due to the amount of Chemotherapy Nadine has endured it would be very unlikely that she would be able to conceive naturally. Against the odds Nadine did, and fell pregnant with identical twins. However, when Nadine was 16 weeks pregnant her consultant discovered that her babies had Twin to Twin transfusion which threatened to kill the twins. Nadine and her husband decided to let nature take its course and in October 2006 Daniel and Noah were born by caesarean section and they are now the proud parents of two gorgeous one-year-old boys. Nadine organises events for Breast Cancer UK to help others cope with their own battles against cancer.

The Lesley Pearse Women of Courage Award 2006

Nicole Gallagher of Kent
Nominated by: her friend, Anne

When Nicole fell pregnant with her second child, a seven-week scan told her that her unborn daughter, if she survived, would grow up disabled. Nicole never once considered a termination, and following a 26-hour labour, Aishling was born with internal malformations and was taken away for immediate surgery. Nicole spent the first four months of her new daughter's life by her bedside. It was during this time that her first daughter, Niamh, was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation - where parts of the brain protrude into the spinal column. Niamh, now 7, and Aishling, 5, have between them endured more than 20 operations.

The Four Finalists

Sue Salmons of Hertfordshire
Nominated by: her friend, Jo

Sue Salmons from Hertford was nominated by her neighbour and friend because she has tirelessly and selflessly fostered over 200 children as well as adopting two children with medical problems. Sue and her husband, George, both come from big families and love children. With this in mind, as well as a desire to help other people, they began to foster children. Over a period of 26 years, Sue and George fostered many children and adopted Kris and Claudia.

George sadly died last December, aged 61. Sue nursed him at home after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Despite her husband's death, Sue continues to foster children.

Rachel Clark of Hertfordshire
Nominated by: her husband, Richard

Rachel Clark from Harpendon was nominated by her husband because of her fortitude and courage after their son was born with a rare genetic condition, Zellweger Syndrome, which meant that he died very young. Rachel and Richard devoted every moment to caring for their son before he died at the age of 10 months. After trying for another child, Rachel then went on to suffer a miscarriage. Still not beaten she and Richard decided to become foster parents. They now look after 2 children.

Eletta Palmer of Bradford
Nominated by: her sister, Nilanthie

Eletta Palmer from Bradford was nominated by her sister because she took on responsibility for raising her siblings after the death of their mother. It was on the way home from a family holiday at Pontins in Blackpool that the car her mum, Joanne Palmer-Parchment, 40, was driving, crashed on the motorway. She was killed instantly, along with Eletta's 13-year-old sister, Celeste. Her 18-month-old twin brothers, Kyle and Kieron, were also injured, but survived the crash. Eletta had been driving in a separate car, with her two sisters Sheleen and Nilanthie.

At that point, Eletta was already a single mum to Aisha, then 3 and Rahees, 18 months. At the age of 24, she took on full responsibility for looking after her brothers and sisters whilst also looking after her own children and going to college.

Gail Shuter of Essex
Nominated by: her daughter, Michelle

Gail Shuter from Essex was nominated by her daughter for her selfless courage in overcoming the abuse she suffered as a child and young adult at the hands of her father and husband and for keeping the family together despite her own illnesses.

Gail went into care at an early age and when she fell pregnant at the age of 15 she was moved into a mother and baby home. Even when the staff put pressure on Gail to give her baby up for adoption she refused and fought to keep her. After eventually moving in with her boyfriend she gave birth to 2 more children. Gail's relationship broke under the pressure of looking after 3 children which left Gail a single mother at 28.