September 2016
Carlisle living awards celebrates all that is great about the city.
Easyjet pilot Kate McWilliams, right, received the Carlisle Living Inspirational award from sponsors Story Homes representative Hayley Blair
Returning for the third year to Garden at Eden, at Crosby-on-Eden and despite the terrible weather outside there was a party atmosphere inside the marquee.
Over 400 people attended the event, with John Myers as compere and the whole ceremony was streamed live on facebook.
The awards celebrate all the best places to shop, work, stay, visit, eat and drink around Carlisle. With awards going to both individuals and businesses who were leaders in their field or were inspiring for others.
The Inspiration Award, sponsored by Story Homes is judged on who’s our biggest inspiration in the city this year, in schools, the community, in business, sports, the arts anywhere.
John Myers told the crowd that: “It’s an inspirational, aspirational story of following your dreams, and working hard to achieve them.”
It was given to a surprised winner, EasyJet captain, Kate McWilliams.
She was looping the loop at 15, made her first solo flight at 16, went to commercial pilot school at 18, joined EasyJet at 21 and then after five years as a trainee pilot then First Officer her 13-year journey ended this summer when she passed the gruelling Command Course which earned her the captain’s uniform and the right to sit in the LEFT hand seat in the cockpit.
She was greeted on stage to a standing ovation. Kate said she was passionate about inspiring others to follow their dreams. “My dad said you can do anything – apart from be an optician! He never gave me any specific ideas – so then the world was my oyster.”
She went on to say: “Everything’s achievable. There’s nothing to stop you, just do it. You can do whatever you want to do.”
Our Sales Manager Hayley Blair was delighted to present Kate with her award and said “She really is inspirational, not only to the young women of Carlisle, but the UK. What she has achieved in her short career really is amazing and she is very deserving of the award.”
Despite significant regional growth over the years, Carlisle is still Story Homes’ base with headquarters based at Kingmoor Park. Story Homes aspires to make Carlisle a great place to live, work and play.
