Celebs give support to real heroes

For more than two decades the Mirror’s Pride of Britain has heralded the extraordinary courage and superhuman achievements of ordinary people. People such as sevenyear-old Harmonie-Rose Allen.

Despite losing her arms and legs to meningitis she’s raised £100,000 for charity by completing feats doctors said were impossible.

People such as Rob Allen. He founded Sands United – a network of football teams where men can grieve together over children they have lost.

People such as Gee Walker. She forgave her son’s killers and dedicated herself to promoting racial harmony.

And people such as those on the OxfordAstraZeneca team whose vaccine made this year’s Pride of Britain so different from the last.

Without them there would be no live audience to join in the tears and laughter or marvel at human stories, both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their jab helped make near-normal life possible.

The guest list for the evening is a Who’s Who of the famous – from Hollywood’s Sharon Stone to Stephen Fry, from TV’s Simon Cowell to Olympian Mo Farah.

But they are there only as supporting actors for a cast of real people stepping into the limelight to showcase the very best of Britain.

Our nation has suffered hugely over the last 19 months of the pandemic.

But when the awards are televised on Thursday, everyone will have the chance to honour those who have endured much and achieved more than most of us do in a lifetime.

It is a reminder that no matter how tough the challenges, the human spirit can find reserves of strength to overcome them.

A reminder that after months of lockdown there is much out there to celebrate.

And a reminder of the people of Britain of whom we can be most proud.