Bolton’s outstanding women who make a real difference
10:35am Saturday 11th December 2010 in Your Town
THE heroines who make Bolton great were honoured at the town’s annual Women of the Year 2010 awards.
All 11 finalists in the prestigious competition attended a glittering lunch yesterday, where they were honoured for their achievements in improving the lives of those around them.
From teenage girls who spend their time helping others, to a pensioner who has helped hundreds of people with dementia in Bolton, and even a community champion who has launched a football club, helping keep teenagers off the streets, the contribution of the women shortlisted was unquestionable.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllrs John and Lynda Byrne, were so impressed with the quality of this year’s entries that they created two special awards to honour the contributions these women have made.
But it was Elaine Dolan who was crowned this year’s Bolton Woman of the Year for her tireless work in setting up 11 football teams in Breightmet.
Mrs Dolan, aged 58, is the founder of Breightmet United which, in a remarkably short space of time, has grown into 11 teams, helping to keep young people off the streets.
She has also worked with young people to encourage them to fundraise to pay for the team’s own bus, which takes them to matches.
Mrs Dolan, of Greenroyd Avenue, said: “I’m really pleased to have won.
“Breightmet United has grown so much in a short space of time and it makes Breightmet feel more like a community.”
But her plans for the club do not stop here — Mrs Dolan has now set her sights on finding a permanent clubhouse for youngsters.
Sisters Shanice and Kirsty Foster were the winners of a special award.
They were given the Woman of the Year 2010 Special Family Award for Services to Young People after spending their young lives helping others.
Shanice, aged 16, and a student at Bolton College, holds coaching qualifications in street cheer, dance, football and boxing and is also a football referee.
Her sister, 18-year-old Kirsty, who is studying at the University of Bolton, also spends her time coaching children in deprived areas.
She coached at the Halliwell Youth Dance Group and gives up her weekends to referee football and coach street dance, trampoling and cricket.
Kirsty, of Great Lever, said: “We are really happy to have won but it was a real surprise to us.
“I am just really proud of what we have achieved.”
Kath Tyldesley was honoured with the Bolton Woman of the Year 2010 Special Award for Services to Older People for her tireless work with people who suffer from dementia and their carers.
After caring for her husband, Norman, until his death in 1999, Mrs Tyldesley, aged 82, set up Bolton’s own Dementia Support Group to provide support for people dealing with the condition.
Mrs Tyldesley, of Sharples, said: “I am thrilled to bits but I am going to carry on what I have been doing.
“There are 3,000 people in Bolton with dementia and our group’s motto is ‘We want people to remember those who forget’.”
Runners up in the Woman of the Year award were Monica Ballani and Mona Bertwistle.
Paying tribute to the amazing achievements of the women honoured at the awards, Cllr Byrne said: “It was such a difficult decision, which is why we created the special awards.
“We would have given all the finalists an award if we could have done.”
