Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Every year these awards shine a spotlight on truly amazing people
Michael Sheen’s tribute to winners
ACTOR Michael Sheen has praised the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards for “shining a spotlight on goodness” and called for us all to highlight more unsung heroes every day.
The Welsh star, who is an ambassador for the awards, says he marvels at the way the annual event lifts the nation and warms hearts. And he believes it has the power to inspire people all year long, to counter negative news with stories of positivity.
Michael, 50, said: “It is always an incredible experience to be part of the awards, to hear stories of how ordinary people are changing lives and the world.”
The star, whose girlfriend Anna Lundberg, 25, gave birth to their daughter Lyra in September, added: “We overlook and undervalue those who are helping others and it gives us a slightly skewed perception of what is going on in our communities.
“But every year the Pride of Britain Awards shine a spotlight on these absolutely amazing people – and it makes me wish we could do that every day.”
Michael, who stars alongside David Tennant in the hit series Good Omens, went on: “We need to focus on their brilliance, not on all the darkness. We need to celebrate the good and the positive,.” Alongside film director and activist Ken Loach, 83, Michael presented a Special Recognition award to Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson at this year’s awards. Josh and Alice opened a sandwich shop, Social Bite in Edinburgh in 2012, which became a global movement to fight homelessness.
When a Big Issue seller asked for a job, they realised the scale of homelessness in Scotland. Josh, 33, and Alice, 28, started fundraising, and the business now includes five cafes and a restaurant, with one third of the staff having been homelessness.
Josh said: “We want to encourage compassion and humanity for people in desperate situations.” Michael said: “What they have been able to achieve, going from one cafe to a global initiative, is incredible.”
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will be broadcast on ITV tomorrow at 8pm.