A WIRRAL woman who saved her student loan up to set up a business that would benefit the community has won an award.
Lucky Ali has been named Woman to Watch at the Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Awards 2023.
The Merseyside Women of the Year Awards is an annual event celebrating the achievements of women from across the region, acknowledging and rewarding those who are changing and giving extra meaning to the lives of people from Merseyside and beyond.
As well as celebrating women and their achievements, the event aims to leave a legacy of amazing role models to inspire and support future generations of women in Merseyside and the Liverpool City Region.
Ellie Kerr is now the sole Founding Director, taking forward the 20-year legacy of MWOTY after being its first winner in 2003 and taking over the organisation of the awards in 2010.
Lucky's achievements
Lucky was recognised at the glittering ceremony with over 400 guests at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool on Friday, June 30, for her extensive list of achievements.
Her achievements include setting up a family-run business in Birkenhead with her student loan which has provided a large variety of British and international food and grocery items while bridging a gap in the local market, proposing solutions for recruiting diverse talent that have already been implemented by Ashfield Health, and volunteering at Human Appeal on fundraising and events, including for Feed the Fasting 2020 and The Water Charity.
The overall Woman of the Year award, presented by headline sponsor, Financial Planning Corporation (FPC), went to Halle O’Brien CIC founders, Heather Evans and June Russell, while Knowsley Chamber CEO and former High Sheriff of Merseyside, Lesley Martin-Wright JP DL was recognised with an inaugural MWOTY Fellowship award.
Ellie Kerr, MWOTY Founding Director, said: "Lesley has paved the way for many women in business and also been an outstanding and inspiring advocate for groups in every sector, who have devoted their time to improving the communities in which they live and help make Merseyside a better and safer place.
"Throughout her illustrious career Lesley has reinforced the place of women entrepreneurs and has ensured that women at all levels within the Liverpool City Region are acknowledged, valued, and included.
"Today’s celebration has been overwhelmingly beautiful, and I am bursting with pride for all our winners and runners-up. They are what makes our region as wonderful as it is and are an example and inspiration to us all. I am so happy to call them part of our MWOTY family and we look forward to supporting them all in their incredible work."
The Merseyside Women of the Year Awards will return in 2024, on Friday, June 28.
To find out more, visit: https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk.
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