Campaigning mum is named ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’
Mrs Pat Rogers (63) dedicated the accolade to her son Adam’s memory after she was named Inspirational Woman of the Year at the awards ceremony in London where she rubbed shoulders with celebrities including Nicole Kidman.
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Hide AdHer son Adam (24), who had coached Padiham Ladies’ Football Club, died in 2009 after being attacked in Blackburn town centre. Since then Mrs Rogers has campaigned tirelessly, setting up the charity Every Action Has Consequences, to educate mainly young people on the consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence.
“The bottom line is it’s all for Adam. It’s in his memory and it’s him carrying on doing good things even after he’s left us,” said Mrs Rogers.
She was nominated for the award by long-time friend and colleague Sarah Flanagan. She then featured on a shortlist of three before ITV’s Lorraine viewers cast the deciding vote.
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Hide AdMrs Rogers founded the charity in 2010 with her husband Dave. Together they have produced a range of educational resources to encourage young people to address the issues of binge drinking and violence. The resources are used in schools, colleges, prisons, young offenders institutions, in sports groups, youth groups and with apprentices and from next month will be launched in primary schools.
The charity also goes into schools to deliver talks, advice and training for teachers. Since winning the award Mrs Rogers, a former assistant principal for pastoral work, has been inundated with messages of congratulations and support from across the UK, with many wanting to see the packs rolled out in different areas of the country.
“It was a shock. Knowing what the other finalists had done I never expected to win.”