IT was a wonderful and very uplifting afternoon at a packed Plungington Community Centre this week as the Disability Equality NW AGM was followed by the presentation of the prestigious Lesley Finley Award.

The main award, in memory of former DENW chair Lesley Finley who sadly passed away in 2013, went to Emma Watkiss who has set up and operates an independent group for people on the autistic spectrum.

There were also a host of ‘Highly Commended’ certificate recipients and DENW Safety First team official Jennifer Carthy said she was delighted to report that there had been a high number of nominations this year.

For further details of DENW, the Safety First project and The Lesley Finley Award, please email hello@disability-equality.co.uk

Lesley Finley Award winner Emma Watkiss, centre, receives her award from Lesley’s mother watched by the Mayor of Preston Cllr Neil Darby

The Highly Commended winners with the Mayor and DENW officials