The founder of a Leamington-based charity was crowned the winner of two awards recognising her community impact and inspirational leadership.

Lianne Kirkman was crowned Overall Inspirational Leader of the Year after also winning Outstanding Woman with Community Impact

Warwickshire charity champion Lianne Kirkman, the driving force behind Helping Hands Community Project and The Esther Project - Women of Worth CIC in Leamington, has been recognised with two prestigious awards at the Women's Awards, culminating in being crowned Overall Inspirational Leader of the Year for the Midlands.

Lianne first received the Outstanding Woman with Community Impact award, triumphing against an exceptional shortlist in what was the most heavily entered category of the awards.

The evening then reached an extraordinary conclusion when she was announced as the overall Inspirational Leader of the Year.

Presenting the award, Sandra Pollock OBE called on those present to join her in celebrating Lianne's remarkable 30 years of not simply recognising the problems facing society, but having the courage, determination and vision to do something about them.

Karen Lynch MBE, former High Sheriff of Warwickshire, who nominated Lianne for the awards, shared: "I nominated Lianne because she represents everything that genuine community leadership should be.

"She doesn't just recognise injustice or talk about what needs to change. She rolls up her sleeves, brings people together and makes change happen.

"Through Helping Hands and now The Esther Project, she has demonstrated extraordinary determination, innovation and compassion, creating solutions where existing systems have fallen short.

"To see her recognised not once, but twice tonight, and ultimately named the Midlands' Inspirational Leader of the Year, is absolutely wonderful.

"Lianne is a real leader, an innovator and an extraordinary champion of women. Thirty years of compassion turned into action, and thirty years of making a difference. This recognition is so richly deserved."A true leader, innovator, and champion of women, Lianne has dedicated three decades to turning compassion into practical action.

Over the past ten years, her leadership through Helping Hands Community Project has made an enormous difference to people experiencing homelessness, poverty and crisis across Warwickshire.

More recently, her vision has led to the creation of The Esther Project, an innovative, women-focused initiative responding to the desperate need for safe spaces, specialist support and secure accommodation for women facing crisis.

The project is already transforming lives, providing safety, dignity and hope for women who have too often found themselves without the support they need from existing systems.

The double award win shines a spotlight not only on Lianne's personal achievements but also on the growing impact of The Esther Project and the importance of developing practical, compassionate responses to the challenges facing vulnerable women