I have vowed never again to whinge about minor inconveniences such as being tired or having flu after hearing the powerful, poignant and motivational stories of woman who had overcome the most challenging adversities in the Sue Ryder Care Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards 2010. 

The event in Leeds hosted by Liz Green of BBC Radio Leeds was attended by hundreds of women including 37 finalists who had been shortlisted across four categories. 

As Quest’s MD, I was privileged to have made the finals in the Business Award category along with Jennie Collins, Anna Rayner, Susan Walsh of Kamico, Prett Tejura, Maggie Silver, Gemma Povey  and Paula Temple of Future Arts, Lis Wilson of HR Connexions, Lisa Jones of Barclay Jones, Deirdre Bounds, Sarah Dunwell of Create, Kate Hardcastle of Insight with Passion. The richly deserved winner was international Deirdre Bounds, a former comedienne who started her business i-to-i in a bedsit and sold it to First Choice Travel for an eight-figure sum. 

In the Education Award, the skills, commitment and encouragement of finalists are enabling others to achieve beyond their expectations.  Well done to Professor Freda Bridge of Leeds Trinity College, Shirley Dawson-Fell of the Shandaw School of Dance, Chris Evans of ActionAid, Dr Trish Holch who researches for scientific journal Nature magazine , Katherine Myles of Envison,  Nikki Sharpe of Youth Can Achieve, and Catherine McGrath of Reading Matters. A big congratulations to the winner Chris Evans.     

The stories of the four Jane Tomlinson Courage Award nominees left few dry eyes in the room. Tracey Barraclough, an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, Susan Hanley, Co Chair of Leeds Learning Disabilities Partnership Board, Kitty McGeever, the first blind registered actress to appear in a soap  and Amy Walker an avid fundraiser.  Susan Hanley received a Highly Commended award and Kitty McGeever was the category winner.           

The 14 finalists in the Lifetime Achievement Award were likewise extraordinary ladies with compelling stories. They are: Sandra Corcoran of Pennine Cycles, communities champion Hilary Willmer, Pat Cronin, an advocate for Age Concern, animal rescuer Heather Hewitt , Chief Superintendent Alison Rose, Lesley Raine, from Hope Pastures Horse and Donkey Sanctuary, Mavis Kekus of Anita Massarella design fame, Barbara  Jackson of Coutts Bank, homeless champion, Breege Walsh, Mary Murphy who dedicated 32 years of her life to the Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice, Ann Pemberton of Home Start Leeds, former Leeds Mayor Cllr Judith Elliott and Sheila Saunders. Hilary Willmer was presented with the accolade and the prestigious Overall Woman of Achievement went to Kitty McGeever.      

A big acknowledgement to Sue Ryer Care for showcasing the achievements of Yorkshire women and which has 14 UK care centres, including the Wheatfields Hospice, for those suffering from cancer, dementia, multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease whose running costs this year are £2.7 million.

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