A CHARITY founder from Launceston has been named Devon and Cornwall’s ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ in the 2019 Venus Awards.

Alison Jordan says she is ‘extremely proud’ to have won the accolade for her work helping suicide bereaved families with Pete’s Dragons. Mother of four Alison, also a finalist in the Influential Woman of the Year category, said: “To be seen as inspirational for working in a field, which for so long has been taboo, shows a real shift in terms of community acceptance of the issues around suicide and a desire to overcome it.

“From a personal perspective, I am honoured to have received this award and hope that this goes some way to inspiring others to believe in themselves, follow their passions, overcome setbacks and achieve their dreams.”

Alison started Pete’s Dragons after her 24-year-old brother, Pete Wicks, took his own life in 2010. Alison and Pete grew up in Launceston and their mother still lives in the town.

Today, the charity is the only suicide bereavement support service of its kind in the South West and is currently helping more than 300 people across Devon.

This year’s Devon and Cornwall Venus Awards received more than 1,440 nominations and applications. Exmouth resident Alison was one of 15 winners.

Dubbed as ‘The Working Women’s Oscars’, the awards recognise the vital contribution that women in business make to the local, regional and national economy. The award is the second honour Alison has received in the space of a month.

In March, she was named among 150 people to be selected from nearly 1,800 applicants to win a Churchill Fellowship.

The grant means Alison can embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip and spend two months in the USA later this year researching new approaches to suicide prevention and bereavement to benefit UK families.