INSPIRATIONAL women who have made a difference to others were celebrated in a glitzy online ceremony.

The sixth annual Inspire Awards had to be staged virtually this year because of the pandemic, but preparations are underway to hold a reception for the winners when it is safe to do so.

Staged at the University of Bolton, the awards lost none of the red carpet feel, with some of the country most high profile women attending, including Patron, Baroness Trish Morris of Bolton and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.

Baroness Morris said:“It’s testament to the spirit of the sixth Inspire Awards that we are able to celebrate together, on this virtual platform."

There were twenty award categories, with a winner and a highly commended in each.

The evening was hosted by Strictly Come Dancing star Kelvin Fletcher, who will personally deliver the awards when lockdown rules allow.

Gay Wharton, a former mayoress, who died in a road traffic collision, was posthumously given the Girl Up award, with Mayor of Bolton Linda Thomas paying an emotional tribute to her.

Award recognised the achievement of women, in all walks of life, from the the law to the voluntary sector.

Awards founder Gulnaz Brennan said: "It was probably the most complex virtual event anyone has attempted.

"With great thanks to the university for hosting, and to the digital experts who made sure that the evening was seamless from start to finish.

"I was determined that we wouldn’t be beaten by the pandemic, as we needed to ensure that our inspired winners were properly acknowledged. Our virtual event demonstrates our own determination to continue doing what we’re doing, regardless of circumstances.”

The winner of the ‘He For She’ Category was awarded posthumously to Michael Brown, who campaigned for the law to be changed after the tragic murder of his daughter Clare. The legislation introduced as a result has been named after her. Michael died in July.

The biggest award of the night ­— North West Woman of the Year, chosen from the winners of the categories ­— went to Jan O'Brien, who had been earlier named Volunteer of the Year.

Distinguished speakers, including Edith Conn OBE DL JP, Sgt Amanda Edwards of RAF, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Newlove, Prof Shanu Hinduja, Gill Smallwood, Prof Patrick Trodden, Cllr Andy Morgan, Maura Jackson, Shelley Raja, Ray Hanks, Provost Zubair Hanslot and Shauna Morton paid their personal tributes to all the nominees and explained why their contributions to society were more important than they’ve ever been.

Gulnaz added: "Huge thanks to our our headline sponsor, Jackie Hyde of Stanmore Insurance. She is a true embodiment of SheInspires, after winning an award in 2018, she is now a lead judge and also one of the SheInspires Ambassadors. Jackie believes 'awards are so much more than a just trophy in a cabinet, they tell you are doing a fantastic job'

Nominations are set to open for this year's awards are due to open in the near future

Winners

Jane Cuthbertson – ‘Women In Business’

Taslima Ahmad – ‘Women In Social Enterprise’

Kelly McFadden – ‘Employee Of The Year’

Gay Wharton - ‘Girl Up’

Beth Nunn – ‘Women In Education’

Annette Smith – ‘Women In Leadership’

Lisa Smith – ‘Women In Hospitality’

Jan O’Brien – ‘Volunteer Of The Year’

Karin McGuinness – ‘Event Organiser Of the Year’

Toni Aspinall – Fitness & Wellbeing’

Jennifer Grabowski – ‘Women In Law’

Fortalice – ‘Team Of The Year’

Joanne Thwaites – ‘Health & Social care’

Tracy Boylin - ‘ SHEro’

Dr Laura Gilbert – ‘Women In IT & Technology’

Maddi Faith – ‘Young Achiever Of The Year’

Joan and Neil Cliffe – ‘Couple Of The Year’

Michelle Livesey-Feingold – ‘Women In Film Art & Media’

Michael Brown – ‘He For She’

Ceri Travers – ‘Women In STEM’

Anna Jackson – ‘Her Abilities’

Sally Bonnie – Lifetime Achievement’

Jan O Brien – ‘North West Woman Of The Year’

Sponsors on the night were:

Stanmore Insurance Brokers Ltd – Headline Sponsor

Bolton Council & University of Bolton – Event Partners

Royal Airforce, Bolton at Home, SCAN Computers – Gold Sponsors

Category Sponsors and associates

Back Up NW, Best of Bolton, Community Film Art & Media, WebHD, Breaking Barriers NW