AN inspirational New Ferry woman has been crowed the One to Watch at this year's Merseyside Women of the Year Awards.

Jessica Gallier has worked tirelessly to breakdown the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health since she lost her father Martin, 55, to suicide in February 2017.

During Martin's nine month inquest, Jessica and her family realised that many opportunities to save his life had been missed.

So, in a bid to make sure no-one else fell through the cracks, Jessica and friend Claire Doherty launched The Martin Gallier Project.

A hub for the charity was then opened at 57 New Chester Road by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern in February 2019.

The project has since joined forces with other organisations to run support groups for those struggling with their mental health and to offer help to those bereaved by suicide.

On Friday, June 28 at the Crowne Plaza, Jessica was recognised as an 'unsung heroine' of Merseyside, by being crowned the One to Watch.

She told the Globe: "To win a Merseyside Women Of The Year Award is a massive honour both personally and professionally.

"It is also a massive shift forward in terms of breaking down the stigma that surrounds suicide.

"Not that long ago it was deemed unacceptable to openly discuss suicide, yet this week it’s been recognised repeatedly at one of Merseyside’s most respected awards ceremonies.

"While the people we support on a daily basis are the biggest reward we could ever hope to receive, it was amazing to be so publicly recognised for the dedication we have to creating suicide safer communities across Merseyside.”

For more information about The Martin Gallier Project please visit

https://www.gallierhouse.co.uk/