NEARLY a year ago, Shana Begum's life turned upside down after she was forced to flee another town because of honour-based domestic violence.

She arrived last December in Moss Bank, far from where she was from, with her three children and a pram. That was it.

She said: “I carried with me nothing but the trauma, the fear and pain. I moved into an unknown area where the town’s demographics were mainly white.

“I was scared. I fled from one abuse and might land into another form of abuse but the St Helens community have become my lifeline and I’m now proud to always call St Helens my home.”

Since arriving in town, Shana, alongside her children Iysha, 16, Isaac, six and Sammy, four, does all she can to raise awareness of domestic violence and help others to escape what they have.

On winning the Pride of St Helens family of the year award, Shana, said: “We were totally not expecting this, but are so grateful for the kindness of this town. St Helens is a town to be very, very proud of, I arrived with three scared children who left everything they have ever known, and you all welcomed us with kindness.

“Maybe you look at this town and see a few empty shops and think this place is no good, but for me, I see a town full of proud and kind people who come together and a beautiful place to live.

“My family, me and my children, may have won this award, but St Helens as a whole is our family, we have won this award together.”

Iysha, 16, who nominated her mum for the award, said: “We have been through so much and thought we can turn this into a positive by telling our story to help others.

“My mum was hurt, again and again, but she shielded us until one day she had to leave and we went with her. We don’t want anyone else to suffer like she did. The only way to fight against domestic violence is to keep talking about it.

“My mum and brothers are so brave and I’m proud to receive this award with them.”

The other nominees highly commended were: The Family of Adam Ellison - who do all they can to raise awareness of knife crime in the name of Adam who died who years ago.

And the family of Kaycee Bradshaw – who fought, alongside other parents, to have a treatment she was given on trial for her rare and terminal condition, Batten Disease, to be offered to all on the NHS.