IN pride of place in Janine Friston’s Ashton-upon-Mersey home is the trophy awarded to her by Altrincham and Sale Chamber of Commerce.

Janine, 45, got it last year for setting up Promoting Trafford in 2018, and won the Runner’s Up prize in the Sale and Altrincham Chamber of Commerce’s Start Up of the Year category.

Janine set up her business because she wanted to bring all the towns in Trafford closer together and allow people to discover what was going on outside their home towns.

She said: “Since the lockdown I have worked to raise awareness of the community aspect of the borough and promote local businesses so that they will be here at the end of it.”

Janine was so impressed by the warm-hearted approach of local citizens during the Coronavirus outbreak that she started the Promoting Trafford Local Hero awards.

“These people are doing over and above what they normally do. Local people are working for their community.

“It is often the larger organisations that get the recognition but my awards highlight what smaller businesses and individuals do.

“I look through the nominations, pick out those who have helped others the most and send them a certificate.

“It’s a way of saying thank you.”

Another string to Janine’ s bow is the 500 strong Women in Business – Trafford. Group she set up.

“Many women who are starting up in business and need support, have joined. They often have a family and other commitments.”

As a member herself, Janine, know what it is like to juggle work and care for partner, Matthew, Harrison, 13 and Max, 11.

“The women support each other. Many have formed friendships as well as business relationships.”

Promoting Trafford is spreading its wings through Promoting Local. This is a new organisation being created by Janine in Stockport and South Manchester.

“This will give the opportunity for others to do the same thing as Trafford in their own areas,” she said.

To find out more about Promoting Trafford then visit: promotingtrafford.co.uk