THE Pride of St Helens awards are to take place this Friday night in a celebration of the borough's community heroes.

There will be prizes awarded in 11 categories on the night at Saints' stadium.

Here are the three nominees for the CoseyRentals Courage Award.

 

Chris Carberry

CANCER fighter Chris Carberry has shown incredible resilience after losing his leg, a third of his lung and undergoing gruelling treatment during his battle with the disease.

Chris, from Rainford, has a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma. He was initially diagnosed in December 2015.

After treatments did not prove successful, the keen golfer chose to have his left leg amputated in March 2016 – a decision he described as “leg or life”.

He has since undergone months of treatment and a series of operations in his battle with the disease.

During his cancer journey he has blogged about these experiences, writing words that have inspired others.

Despite the severity and aggression of his most recent relapse, Chris has stayed strong and, following fundraising, he has undergone pioneering immunotherapy treatment in India.

Writing earlier this year, the 22-year-old stated that a combination of chemotherapy, the radiotherapy, immunotherapy, diet and a positive attitude was driving his relentless fight against the disease.

 

Barbara Challinor

GRAN-of-one Barbara Challinor has had a lot to put up with over the years but her positivity means she is known for her beaming smile.

After being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1999, 72-year-old Barbara has had other illnesses to battle.

She has undergone several life changing operations, major abdominal surgery and survived a fire where four others died in Newquay.

She has also endured sepsis four times and spent time in intensive care.

Her family were told several times that she would never come home from hospital but she did not give

up.

She can walk and is living a limited but fulfilled life with her husband Bob, who she met while recovering from cancer all those years ago. Her proud daughter Vivian Mainey, 50, said: “My mum has been through so much, but she’s known in all the hospitals as the smiler for her positivity.

“She doesn’t let what has happened stop her and she is just a remarkable, strong and brave woman.

“Both me and my brother Stephen couldn’t be prouder of her.”

 

Stephen Higham

A FORMER solicitor gave up the life he knew for 30 years “all in the name of love” to care for his wife after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers aged 51.

Stephen Higham, 61, had the normal retirement plans with his wife Ruth but after her diagnosis she has been left bedbound and requiring 24/7 care.

Loving husband Stephen, from Prescot, never complained about how his life is now or how tough things have become. He is always there with a smile on his face and always helps everyone, especially his two children Alexandra and James, who say “his selflessness is beyond words.”

His proud daughter Alexandra added: “When mum was diagnoses it came as a bit of a shock to us all but my dad has kept everyone’s spirits up and managed to keep us all strong as a family while looking after my mum 24 hours a day.

“He is very rarely able to get out of the house but he never moans and is the most caring man I have ever met.

“We are very, very proud we can call him our dad, he cares for our mum all in the name of love. He’s a true hero, he’s our hero.”