Lancashire Heroes

We celebrate the lives and achievements of 30 modern day greats from across the county

These are the influencers, role models and inspirations who help shape life in Lancashire today. They are the people doing wonderful work in their fields to raise the profile of the county and to make life better here and beyond our boundaries.

They come from the worlds of sport, entertainment, politics, business and the arts; they are campaigners and innovators; some lead the world, some want to change the world; some are famous, some deserve to be better known. They are the 2019 Lancashire heroes.

Four of the names on our list were not born in Lancashire, but have indelible links with the county and have earned their place on the list through their dedication, hard work and success. We open our list with one of those incomers who is hoping her biggest impact on life here is yet to come: the woman spearheading Lancashire’s bid for the 2025 City of Culture, Debbi Lander.

DEBBI LANDER

‘Lancashire needs a new story, people want it. We are this progressive, amazing, county with incredible prowess in heritage, innovation, industry and we have huge strengths.

‘But we still have more to shout about and it’s time to show that to the world.’

They are strong words from Debbi Lander, the woman charged with the county’s UK City of Culture bid. But she’s not here to mess about. She was awarded the post back in July and since then has spent the time pouring over every report, meeting every person and visiting every place necessary so she can put a strong bid together for Lancashire’s 2025 hopes.

‘I’ve discovered so many wonderful places, some I’ve been to before but others are new, exciting destinations for me,’ said Debbi. ‘Dunsop Bridge is completely magical. It’s got this lovely mythical quality and is completely other wordly. That feeling of being in the centre of the UK, at the heart of it all, it’s just fantastic.