Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Why we all needed the amazing Pride of Britain Awards more than ever
IT was a year when the nation’s unsung heroes shone at their brilliant best.
Through the grimmest of days, when the vast majority of us searched for light in the darkness, it appeared time and again in human form.
Never has the nation been so grateful to its NHS workers, carers, supermarket staff, posties, firefighters, cleaners, police, bus drivers and all the other occupations who kept things going while most of us were stuck at home trying to avoid a killer virus.
But anyone who has ever watched the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will know this country has an army of heroes who go beyond the call of duty.
That’s why, every year, we salute them and make them feel special.
And last night’s awards, despite not being held before the usual 1,000strong, dinner-suited audience, was more special than ever. As Prince Charles told us: “It has never been more important to celebrate people who make us proud to be British.”
Names such as Ant and Dec, Katherine Jenkins, Stephen Fry and Taylor Swift were still on view but were once again overshadowed by the real stars.
Carol Vorderman still donned a posh frock as she stood outside the Royal Hospital Chelsea, bringing us tales of selflessness and heroism that left millions of TV viewers awestruck.
And they had much to be awestruck about in an exceptional year that saw twice as many nominations as usual.
Incredible acts of kindness by youngsters make you wince at your own ineptitude. Like 10-year-old Child of Courage winner Sebastian Williams, who scrambled 100 metres down a Scottish ravine to save his seriously-injured mum Suzanne.
And five-year-old Tony Hudgell, so badly abused as a baby that his legs had to be amputated, yet he went on to raise more than £1.5million for his local hospital after walking 13.5 kilometres on crutches during lockdown.
Rebecca Beattie set up clothing brand Always B U to raise awareness of domestic violence – something she has suffered. When Prince Charles handed her the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award, she broke down and said it had “blown me away”.
Then there was Emmie Narayn
Nicholas, who was diagnosed with leukaemia aged eight, and spent two and a half years undergoing gruelling treatment – but then set up Emmie’s Kitchen to provide free food for parents living at the bedsides of sick kids in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
S h e’s finished her cancer treatment and last night viewers saw her almost in a state of shock when Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo, along with Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, surprised her with a Child of Courage award.
Ma r c u s told the 11-year-old, who had a smile splitting her face: “If we get a whole generation acting and behaving in the way you behave, the future of everyone’s communities is going to be much better than the one I grew up in.”
Rashford, whose campaign to feed kids on free school meals through the holidays forced the government into a U-turn, wa s g iv e n a S p e c i a l Recognition award.
The modest 23-yearold’s response was, “I’m humbled”. That’s what you call a sporting legend.
The not-so-young ones are legends too. Take Dena Murphy, a 92-yearold great-gran who has fed thousands from produce grown on her allotment, and helped hundreds of young
offenders get their lives back on track working alongside her.
When Coronation Street actors Antony Cotton and Jennie Mcalpine delivered her TSB Community Spirit award in a wheelbarrow, Dena was so taken aback she wept, telling us, “It’s the first time I’ve cried in 30 years”.
The tears were flowing at home too, when Sir Ben Helfgott’s story was told.
He was nine when the Nazis killed his mother, father and little sister. He spent the war in concentration camps.
Ever since, he has ensured the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten. The Lifetime Achievement award was summed up by Stephen Fry, who told the 90-year-old: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Never has a Pride of Britain award been as nailed-on as the one handed to the man who most symbolised Britain’s stoic response to the Covid pandemic, Captain Sir Tom Moore. In April, approaching his 100th birthday, he decided to do a hundred 25m laps of his garden, on his walking frame, to raise money for the NHS. His efforts raised a staggering £32.8million.
Forces’ sweeth ear t Kath erin e Jenkins, and three young fundraisers inspired by him, gave him a muchdeserved Special Recognition award.
He received it with typical generosity, saying, “It’s a wonderful award and to see such wonderful children here is astonishing”.
Every year we are lost in admiration for people who turn personal tragedy into something positive, ensuring their loved ones did not die in vain.
Pe ople su ch as Rhian Mannings, who l ost her baby son and husband five days apart, her agony made worse by having no support to help her through.
So the Welsh mum set up a bereavement charity, 2 Wish Upon A Star, which has helped hundreds of parents survive the most devastating of times. Actor Michael Sheen gave her a Special Recognition award, telling her, “We’re so proud of what you do”. After the death of George Floyd in the US, footballers took the knee before every Premier League game. So it was appropriate that Lord Herman Ouseley, who has dedicated his life to fighting racism in football, should receive a Special Recognition award.
And al s o apt t h a t Viv Anderson, the first black player capped by England, should present it to him. Viv c a l l e d He r ma n a pioneer and said: “To knock down doors in those early days must have been difficult. He started this many years ago – his legacy lives on.”
The awards could only climax by celebrating one group of workers who, throughout 2020, went way beyond the call of duty – our NHS staff.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave a Special Recognition award to six staff, praising their “tremendous dedication and sacrifice”.
Helder Ladim, Charlotte Carmichael, Keisha Mills, Martha Sarpong, Dr Simon Finney and Marion Jones, of London’s St Barts, received the award on behalf of all NHS workers.
William spoke for the nation when he told them: ”You worked tirelessly, with humility and compassion, in the most challenging of circumstances.”
They told of the strain it had put on them, making them at times feel, as one said, “like undertakers”. But we also heard from people whose lives were saved. One summed it up, saying, “They are walking angels, no doubt”.
The final word went to Carol Vorderman who, as she cued up Paloma Faith to give a beautiful rendition of the Louis Armstrong classic, said that “thanks to the good people we do still live in a wonderful world”.
The Pride of Britain showed once again that, even without a live audience, it is a life-affirming awards show without peers. A magnificent celebration of the best of us.
And a remarkable showcase for something we need now more than ever – the power of the human spirit.
See the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, tonight 10.45pm, or on the ITV Hub now. @Brianreade