Paralympic champion is guest speaker at Tourism & Leisure Awards

22nd January 2009

Mark Eccleston has been announced as the guest speaker at the St.Helens Tourism & Leisure Awards.

Paralympic champion Mark Eccleston will be the guest speaker at the gala ceremony to celebrate the St.Helens Tourism & Leisure Awards.

Mark, who is from St.Helens, was on the verge of a successful rugby league career when he was paralysed at the age of 16 following an accident. He has gone on to become one of the UK’s most successful disabled athletes, competing in both rugby and tennis, and his story has become a source of real inspiration for those who hear it.

Mark’s appearance will be one of the highlights of the awards ceremony at Haydock Park Racecourse on January 30th, when the achievements of the individuals and organisations who contribute to the Borough's growing tourism and leisure industry will be recognised.

The ceremony will also feature the launch of the new Visit St.Helens website – www.visitsthelens.com – which has been redesigned to make it easier for people to navigate and find out about everything that the Borough has to offer.

Cllr Richard Ferry, St.Helens Council's Executive Member for Urban Regeneration,  says: “We are thrilled that Mark is going to be the guest speaker for the awards ceremony. His achievements are truly remarkable and we are honoured that he will be helping us to celebrate the very best of St.Helens’ tourism and leisure industry.”

The awards cover 12 categories in total, from Tourism, Hospitality, Leisure or Retail Apprentice of the Year to Unseen Hero and Tourism /Leisure Entrepreneur of the Year. Once again there will be a special award for the St.Helens Ambassador and the winners will be selected by independent guest judges from across Merseyside.

Dickon White, Chair of the Tourism and Leisure Business Network and MD of Haydock Park, added: “This is the sixth Tourism and Leisure Awards ceremony and each year the standard of entrants is impressive.

“What all the nominees have in common is their commitment to helping to make tourism and leisure in St.Helens such a success story and these awards are an ideal way to celebrate their dedication.”

The St.Helens Tourism & Leisure Awards are funded by St.Helens Council, the North West Regional Development Agency, The Mersey Partnership, the Merseyside Objective 1 programme and the private sector.

There is still time to purchase tickets for the event. Please contact Jo Wight at the Council, telephone 01744 456078 or email joannewight@sthelens.gov.uk for further details.