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NEWS JUST IN!!! Lucy Shuker wins 2011 Woman of Achievement!! Lucy collected the award from disability charity Vitalise in recognition of her achievements in the world of disabled sport.

She is Britain's top ranked player and is ranked tenth in the world at singles and also doubles with her Birmingham-based professional partner Jordanne Whiley. The 31-year-old from Fleet, in Hampshire, has been in a wheelchair since a motorbike accident in 2001 which left her paralysed from the chest down. But she has gone on to win the Belgian Open, Canadian International and Hilton Head tournaments in both singles and doubles in 2010 and was runner up in the British Open doubles event.

She also reached the final at the inaugural women’s wheelchair doubles event at Wimbledon in 2010 and competed for Great Britain in the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. Lucy, who trains in Taunton, Somerset with her coach Natalie Ayton is hoping to represent Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Pauline Edden, Board Director of the Vitalise Woman of the Year Awards, said: "Lucy really stood out from all the candidates for her incredible achievements over the past year.

"Women face many obstacles in their struggle to excel, but the barriers Lucy has had to overcome to become Britain's best wheelchair tennis player are a lesson to us all. She has proved that if we never give up pursuing our dreams, we can achieve anything."

NEWS JUST IN!!! Vitalise Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards are delighted to announce our 2011 Business Woman of the Year is Julie White. Julie completed a management buy-out of D-Drill from her Father in 2008 and has set about restructuring and transforming the business. Julie has always been a hands-on Managing Director and completed her NVQ5 in Business at the same time as starting her own Company Superfloor UK Ltd in 2001, introducing new techniques for specialist floor preparation to the UK.

On winning the award Julie said "It's not a case of competing against men - it's all about giving other women the confidence to see what they can achieve. The industry that I am in is traditionally dominated by men and if I can do what I have done - other women can too."

The 29th VWOTY Luncheon & Awards was packed full of entertainment and networking opportunities not forgetting the opportunity to play an important part in raising much needed funds for Vitalise.

Our BIG 30th BIRTHDAY BASH takes place on Friday 5 October 2012. Are you a potential sponsor? The event plays host to over 450 women and is an ideal place to showcase your business. For more information please click here

All good wishes,

Penelope, Viscountess Cobham

President, Vitalise Women of the Year