YOUR winner has been announced for the region's mental health champion - someone who has helped people come to terms with their mental health post-pandemic.

In the past two months, The Mail and The Westmorland Gazette has worked with Kimberly-Clark in a bid to increase awareness of mental health charities in the region.

Working with Age UK; Every Life Matters; Mind in Furness; SAFA; and Women's Community Matters, we released a series of videos showcasing the charities and what they offered.

And then we asked you to nominate your mental health champions.

Dozens of nominations were sent in and our winner is Kerry Irving - who raises awareness of mental wellbeing alongside the late 'Miracle Dog' Max, as well as Paddy and Harry.

During his life, 'Max the Miracle Dog', from Keswick, raised more than £450,000 for charities, alongside fellow pooches Paddy and Harry.

Sadly, Max passed away in April but Mr Irving still promotes mental wellbeing through social media with his canine companions.

The Westmorland Gazette:

There were some fantastic nominees this year - like Debbie Wood, chair of Outreach Cumbria, an LGBT+ organisation, was nominated for her work championing LGBT causes – including transgender wellbeing, all while working full-time.

While others looked further afield – nominating figures like Jaylo Miles, a Welshman who walks through Cardiff and the Brecon Beacons with his support owls, reaching out through social media and in-person events alike.

Graham Ellis, site director at Kimberly-Clark Barrow, said: "Our Purpose at Kimberly-Clark is a Better Care for a Better World which drives our passion to care for our people and our community.

"The initiative to support local mental health charities has helped our employees and the community to gain further awareness and has highlighted the excellent work that the local charities deliver.

"I would like to personally thank everyone who contributes to the charities as they provide amazing support to our community. A special appreciation also goes to those who have been nominated for the Special Recognition Award."