Tributes to councillor who died weeks after wedding

Tributes have been paid to a Sefton councillor who died suddenly, a month after getting married.

Councillor Helen Duerden, 55, who represented Netherton North, suffered an aneurysm and died on Thursday, council leader Marion Atkinson said.

Duerden, who was elected in 2024, was described as "the kindest, most caring person anyone could wish to meet".

"Helen was always full of energy, joy and passion for the work she carried out as a Labour councillor in Netherton North and as a volunteer development co-ordinator at Sefton Community Voluntary Sector," Atkinson said.

Atkinson said: "Helen was determined to support our most vulnerable by giving training and job opportunities to local people.

"Her professionalism and dedication made a significant difference to many people's lives."

"Sefton Labour Group are so very proud to have had the opportunity to know and work with Helen and to have her as a big part of our Labour family. She will be sadly missed by us all.

"We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to her husband Mike, her Mum Carol, her three children, her sister Rachel, her brother Asa and the rest of her family at this devastating time."

Others have paid tribute on social media.

Councillor Peter Harvey wrote on Facebook: "Helen was one of life's beautiful people - caring, principled, tireless and always smiling, instinctively putting others first.

"She entered local politics in Sefton to use her skills and energy to make our world better, and she did so with quiet, steely determination."

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