Awards recognise inspirational women in South West

Winners gathered at a ceremony in Plymouth on Friday

An awards ceremony in Plymouth has recognised achievements by women in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

Among winners at the West Country Women Awards were volunteers, business owners and campaigners.

The awards were started in 2022 and aim to acknowledge exceptional and inspirational women across 16 categories.

Organiser Alexis Bowater said the awards "celebrate and recognise women in all facets of their lives".

She said: "It is not just about the winners, but also about the 1,500 women nominated this year, who were told by email that someone had noticed them for doing extraordinary things, often unrecognised."

Among winners was Emilie Perring, who received the women in sport award from former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies.

She runs Plymouth Cheerleaders, and also helps young people with mental health issues.

The inspirational leader award went to Emily Tissaw, who volunteers with Georgia's Voice in Cornwall.

The charity was set up to help young women with mental health issues, in memory of Georgia Lee Gallaway, who took her own life in 2020.

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