A 17-year-old girl from Openshaw was named the 2009 ‘Urban Hero of the Year’ at a pre
stigious awards ceremony on Friday 3 July at The Palace Hotel.
Stephanie North was presented with the Urban Hero of the Year Award by Awards sponsor Brian Souter (Stagecoach), at an event hosted by city youth charity The Message Trust. Earlier in the evening Steph had also been announced winner of the Courage Award.
See more pictures from the night here.
Local dignitaries including Chief Constable of GMP Peter Fahy, Rt Hon Hazel Blears, local councillors and several hundred business people including ‘Secret Millionaire’ Chek Whyte gathered to honour young achievers from Manchester who have made a difference to their communities across the city. Each award winner has overcome serious obstacles – drug addiction, tough backgrounds, and in Steph’s case, violent bullying – to emerge as a hero.
Back in 2008, Steph began hanging around with a new group of friends. Though they had seemed friendly to begin with, they began to change and one night turned on Steph and violently attacked her, breaking her nose and leaving her with two black eyes. The police were involved and charges were made.
Steph was encouraged by her youth workers to stand up and tell the truth. She chose to pursue justice to make sure it wouldn’t happen again to others. Steph took her attackers to court, despite a lot of intimidation from others in the community. ‘To do that when people know where you live is really hard,’ explains Openshaw community worker Pete Askew. ‘In communities where crime is high, the only thing that can make a difference sometimes is to say “No, we’re not willing to say nothing… we’re going to speak out against what’s happened.”
‘It’s been really quite a tough thing – she’s not the sort of person who normally mouths off at people so it’s taken a lot of courage to do that and that’s why we think she’s well deserving of this award.’
Like Steph, all of the Urban Hero Award winners have been directly impacted by The Message Trust’s work in schools, communities and prisons across Greater Manchester.
Congratulations to all our 2009 Urban Heroes:
The Volunteer Award
Allan Cocking (pictured with Mick Spratt, Award Sponsor).
Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.
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The Courage Award
Steph North (pictured with Gordon Haynes, Award Sponsor)
Watch her nomination video in our Media Player.
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The Champion Award
Bob Foster (pictured with his family)
Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.
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The Inspiration Award
Naomi Buckley (pictured with Award Sponsor Paul Nadin)
Watch her nomination video in our Media Player.
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The Achiever Award
Mohammed Timbo (pictured with Award Sponsor Chek Whyte)
Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.
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The event featured live performances from LZ7, Blush, Twelve24 and theatre company In Yer Face.
Thanks to everyone who came along to make the Urban Hero Awards 09 such a special occasion, particularly our sponsors and everyone who donated on the night.
Tags: Blush, Eden, Face, In Yer Face, LZ7, reflex, Twelve24, Urban Hero, Urban Hero Awards
