RAYS OF LIGHT
Holly Willoughby and, right, host Carol Vorderman
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 NaraynNicholas, 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.
She’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.
Marcus 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, was given a Special 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’ sweetheart Katherine 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.
People such as Rhian Mannings, who lost 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 also apt that Viv Anderson, the first black player capped by England, should present it to him. Viv called Herman 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.
HUDDLED around the telly with his mum, dad, brothers and sisters, little Tony Hudgell could barely contain his excitement.
When the Pride of Britain winner saw himself on TV for the first time, his name up in lights on the BT Tower, his legs started shaking. “He had a big smile on his face and his little legs were going, that’s what he does when he’s excited,” proud mum Paula says. “Yesterday he just kept asking ‘ How long now?’ over and over until 9pm!”
Six-year-old Tony was crowned the Pride of Britain Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser after raising over £1.5million for the hospital that saved his life. Tony was 41 days old when he was admitted with multiple fractures, sepsis and organ failure.
Abused by his birth parents, every one of his tiny limbs had been broken and he had been without medical attention for up to 10 days.
But foster carer Paula gave him a home with her husband and eight older children, and Tony thrived.
And last night his parents let him stay up late as a treat so he could see himself in front of millions of viewers at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB.
Siblings Kyle, 18, Jessica, 14, Jaden, 13, and Lacey, eight, were with their little brother at their home in King’s Hill, Kent, to cheer as they watched.
Paula says: “Tony’s normal bedtime is 7pm but luckily for him he’s quite good at staying awake. If he could, he’d stay up all night. He’s a little monkey. All the children were in their pyjamas, we had popcorn for the kids and prosecco for me and Mark. It was so lovely to have a feel-good night.
“Everyone really needed something uplifting, especially after Saturday’s announcement. This is something the nation really needed at a critical time.”
Tony met Ant & Dec, who surprised him with the award last week.
“He was just so over the moon to see his two idols,” says Paula. “He was beaming the whole way through. I pity the teachers, a lot of school friends are staying up to watch. They’re either going to have very hyper or very tired children in class.”
Paula, 53, has told Tony’s story many times but admits seeing his achievement on TV made her feel overwhelmed with pride at how far Tony has come.
“You almost become detached from it but it still hurts,” she says. “So to see it again on TV, with millions watching, was emotional. We had a few tears.”
Before lockdown Tony had been learning to walk on prosthetic legs.
When he saw 100-year-old Captain Sir Tom Moore’s incredible charity walking challenge on TV, Tony immediately said: “I can do that.”
The family came up with a 10km challenge for Tony as a way of making sure they did daily walking practice.
His determination captured the UK’s heart and he raised more than £ 1.5million for Evelina London Children’s Hospital where he is treated. Since last night, Tony’s fund has been climbing even higher.
“We are so thankful to everybody who has donated,” Paula says. “If they can keep donating we will be hugely grateful. It’s not going to stop here. “We are massively proud of him and all the money raised for the wonderful hospital. He already has a huge legacy and he is only six.”
Also honoured last night were the NHS heroes who have made personal
sacrifices and worked tirelessly through the pandemic.
Boris Johnson nominated the two nurses, Jenny McGee and Luis Pitarma, who saved his life when he was in intensive care with coronavirus. The PM said: “I want to pay thanks to the utterly brilliant team at St Thomas’ Hospital who saved my life. There were many, but I want to nominate two nurses in particular, Luis and Jenny.”
Luis, 29, from Porto, Portugal, was by Johnson’s side for three nights as he lay in ICU. “I felt extremely proud for someone like him to recognise the quality of the job I’d done,” he said at the time. And New Zealander Jenny, 36, described the PM as “just another patient we were trying to do our best for”.
TSB Community Hero Dena Murphy was moved to tears by her Pride of Britain Award. Dena, 92, from Manchester, has helped hundreds of young offenders get their lives back on track thanks to her community allotment. She said: “I never expected this. It’s the first time in 30 years I’ve actually cried.”
And Major Chris Brannigan, winner of the ITV Fundraiser award, was surprised with a special message from his daughter’s favourite pop star Taylor Swift. He set out to raise funds when eightyear-Hasti was diagnosed with a rare disorder – Cornelia de Lange Syndrome – which has no cure or treatment.
You can watch The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB on ITV Hub now and on ITV1 at 10.45pm.