Moments of magic
THERE is nothing quite like the magic of Pride of Manchester. Since the first unforgettable night in 2019, our amazing show has been packed with smiles, spectacular surprises, tears of joy, emotional moments, stunning reunions and huge stars from Manchester and beyond.
Even lockdown couldn’t stop us. When we had to cancel the awards dinner in 2020, we went on the road instead to meet our winners in the heart of their communities.
So to get you in the mood for the M.E.N. Pride of Manchester Awards, in partnership with TSB, and to inspire you to nominate your unsung heroes, here are some of our truly memorable magic moments.
MESSAGE FROM A LEGEND
Trailblazing LGBT and women’s rights campaigner Luchia Fitzgerald’s eyes lit up when acting great Sir Ian McKellen sent her a very special message.
Luchia had helped organise a protest march he led in the 1980s, and she was delighted when he congratulated her for winning last year’s Lifetime Achievement award.
The moving moment was introduced by another of the country’s finest actors, Sue Johnston, who was on hand to present Luchia with her trophy.
Luchia, who ran away from an abusive childhood in Ireland, said: “I was shocked and overwhelmed to win the Pride of Manchester Award. I have just always been myself. Experiencing misery in my youth is what drove me to make a world a better place.”
HEARTWARMING HUG
One of the most magical moments of the 2019 show was when McFly and The Voice Kids star Danny Jones came on stage to present the Young Fundraiser award to Emma Harris.
Emma, who had raised more than £20,000 for the Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group by making sock-shaped biscuits, was already thrilled after receiving a video message on the giant screen from pop star Olly Murs
And when Danny came out with her trophy, she threw her arms around him in a giant bear hug.
Kym said: “Well that is a welcome if ever I saw one.”
A beaming Danny added: “That was the best entrance to the stage I have ever had in my life.”
BEZ ON A BIKE
Happy Mondays star Bez hid under a motorbike helmet to surprise the winner of last year’s TSB community award.
Paul Redfern is the founder of Blood Bikes Manchester, a group of lifesaving volunteers on two wheels who deliver vital blood supplies where they are most urgently needed.
He thought he was filming an information film about the charity when actor and Pride of Manchester judge Chris Bisson snuck up on him to tell him he had won the award.
They then went outside for a very special delivery as Bez rode up on a motorbike of his own and pulled Paul’s trophy from under his leather jacket.
Paul said: “Even before he took his helmet off I knew it was him, he has such a distinctive voice. I was absolutely delighted.”
UNBREAKABLE SPIRIT
Our 2019 awards were almost two years to the day after the Manchester Arena bombing.
We had so many nominations for heroes of that dreadful night, and the incredible, inspiring wave of humanity that swept away hatred in its wake that it was impossible to pick one person to receive the award.
Instead, we gave a special Spirit of Manchester award to the whole city, the 2.5 million people who call Greater Manchester home, and who all did their bit to ensure that the unique spirit that makes this the finest city on earth was not extinguished by the bomb, but shone brighter than ever in spite of it.
In a moving presentation involving unsung heroes, and the youngest survivor of the attack, Lily Harris, the Manchester Survivors Choir, led by Cath Hill, came on stage for the finale.
Their soaring rendition of Rise Up was a fitting end to an incredible evening, and a fitting tribute to a city that made sure love triumphed over hate.
THANKS BOSS
Beaming Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Marcus Rashford of his pride in the campaigning young striker as he presented his 2020 Special Recognition trophy.
Ole told him: “Marcus, you know the whole football club loves you, not just as a great footballer, but as a great young man, what you have become and what you have achieved off the pitch.” Marcus was honoured for his remarkable campaign to stop kids going hungry. He dedicated his time in last year’s lockdown to fight on behalf of the 200,000 disadvantaged children on free school meals, and forced Boris Johnson into a u-turn over plans to end support. Marcus, who relied on free school dinners when he was growing up in Manchester, also helped to raise £20m to feed another three million people, and is continuing to provide a powerful voice for under-privileged families.
SKIPPER’S SALUTE
Captain Marvel Bryan Robson dropped in for a chat with our 2019 Lifetime Achievement winner Neil Cliffe.
Neil, who sadly passed away last year, was honoured for his incredible efforts to raise funds and support cancer patients and their families for four decades, after beating the disease himself.
Chief among his achievements was raising £1 million to build a special centre at Wythenshawe Hospital for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
As well as Robbo visiting him at home to congratulate him on winning the award, current Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard teamed up with screen legend Sue Johnston, a longstanding friend of Neil’s, to present his trophy on the night.
SCREAM-AGER OF COURAGE
Inspirational teenager Katie Holmes screamed in delight when our host Kym teamed up with Blue Peter and Strictly star Karim Zeroual to give her a double Pride of Manchester surprise.
First Kym told a stunned Katie she had won the Teenager of Courage award, then Karim burst out of hiding with the trophy.
Her mum Emma said: “She actually screamed and covered her whole face with her hand. Receiving an award was not something she expected.”
Katie added: “I still feel so shocked
Brian Robson and Neil Cliffe - Karim always makes me laugh on television. I feel so proud that I have won this award and I can’t wait to tell my friends and teachers.”
Katie, 15, was chosen by the judges for the way she refuses to let her cerebral palsy define her or hold her back, inspiring others with her attitude and taking on a series of charity challenges.
DAZZLING DENA
Unstoppable Dena Murphy was briefly lost for words when Terry Christian turned up to tell her she had won a Pride of Manchester award in 2019.
Great-gran Dena, was honoured for helping hundreds of ex-offenders complete community service orders on her allotment, where she grows fresh produce to help feed more than 50 isolated pensioners every week. Dena, 92, went on to win a Pride of Britain award last year.
VIDEO STARS
Little Isabella Hibbert got the surprise of her young life when two of her favourite stars popped up on screen in a very special Zoom call.
The six-year-old from Oldham was stunned when her Corrie idol Jack P Shepherd told her she had won a Child of Courage award for dialling 999 after her mum collapsed and fell unconscious on the kitchen floor.
Jack, who was unable to meet her in person due to Covid restrictions at the time, told her “I’ve heard you have been a really brave little girl when your mummy was poorly. You really deserve this award.”
Pop star Olly Murs then appeared on the call with a heartfelt message for Isabella. He said: “Lots of grown-ups, including me, wouldn’t have known what to do. I wish I could give you a lovely big hug so I am going to ask your lovely mum Chelsea to give you the biggest, most humongous cuddle ever from me.”
Chelsea, who has made a full recovery, added: “All Isabella could do was giggle when she saw Jack and Olly talking to her, and usually she never stops talking!”
ANYA’S FIGHT SONG
Little Anya Ottley captured hearts all over the world when her rendition of Fight Song went viral, with millions of views on YouTube.
Cancer survivor Anya won a Pride of Manchester Child of Courage award in 2019, and stole the show when Kym asked her to sing on stage.
Her rousing performance had the star-studded audience clapping and singing along, before Antony Cotton and Sair Khan, from her favourite soap Coronation Street, presented her trophy.
She was also stunned to receive a special video message from charttoppers Little Mix.
MAYOR’S PRIDE
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham paid a powerful tribute to hero doctor Gerry O’Shea when he turned up at his surgery to surprise him with a Special Recognition award last year. Gerry was honoured for treating homeless people in the city for more than 20 years.
He works alongside his colleague Dr Shaun Jackson and their team at the busy Urban Village medical practice in Ancoats, providing care for around 750 homeless people, as well as their usual patients.
After sneaking up behind him with his Pride of Manchester trophy, the Mayor said: “Gerry took a decision to open his surgery to people who are homeless here in the city of Manchester. He gives them help, vital healthcare, support to get off the street, but more than that, treats them with dignity and respect.”
HACIENDA MEMORIES
Legendary Manchester DJ Graeme Park and singer Melanie Williams took the roof off with a barnstorming set to open the 2019 awards.
The ballroom at the Principal Hotel was transformed into the Hacienda in its heyday, just with more smart suits and posh dresses, as the audience leapt to its feet to dance.
NATIONAL HEROES SERVICE
Pride of Manchester honours the city’s unsung heroes, and in 2020, that included a special salute to the NHS and those frontline staff who went above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic.
In a powerful tribute film, actor and Pride of Manchester judge John Thomson said: “The National Health Service was born in Manchester, treating its first patient at Trafford Park Hospital more than 70 years ago “The NHS has looked after us ever since - it is there for us at the start of our lives, and at the end, and at the most life-affirming moments in between “This year, we asked more of the NHS than we ever have before. “And the men and women that make up its lifeblood stood strong. “Hospitals all over Manchester were the frontline in the battle against a terrifying new enemy.
“The soldiers in that battle were doctors, nurses, porters, orderlies, carers, cleaners - every member of NHS staff who stood firm and did their bit under almost intolerable pressure to keep us all safe. “They knew they were risking their
John Thomson
lives to protect ours, and tragically, some paid the ultimate price.
“Without their courage, their selflessness and their sacrifice, the toll that Covid took on Manchester would be much, much worse.
“So to all NHS frontline heroes, thank you, and we salute you.”
KING OF FUNDRAISERS
Kym Marsh was in stitches when she turned up to present the Fundraiser of the Year award to Jim Nicholas.
DJ and Elvis impersonator Jim has raised more than £200,000 for Francis House Children’s Hospice, and he was in his full regalia when Kym arrived to surprise him last year.
She said: “He was wonderful, I loved meeting him. What a great guy and he brought some real fun with his snazzy outfits.”
Jim, who thought he was attending a fundraising meeting, said: “I was pretty shocked. I could not understand why my wife was asking me to put my Elvis outfit on but I thought it was to meet others helping Francis House. It was fantastic to meet Kym, and I was a bit cheeky and asked if she could help me get some celebs for future events when we can get going again.”
Pensioner Jim, who worked as head gardener for the Bishop of Salford, has been performing for more than half a century. Over the past 25 years, he has put out a collection box at his shows for Francis House.
From fundraisers to charity founders, campaigners and frontline heroes, Pride of Manchester winners come from all walks of life. Sharon Van Geuns catches up with some of our previous winners, and the choir whose rousing performance was the climax of the 2019 awards
Patsy McKie’s message at Pride of Manchester in 2019 was simple yet powerful: don’t carry a knife or gun.
Her youngest son Dorrie was shot dead in Manchester in 1999 amid spiralling gang violence. The 20-year-old was due to start a sports and leisure course at college and was not involved in any gangs.
After his death Patsy dedicated her life to keeping other young people safe, co-founding Mothers Against Violence.
BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt presented Patsy with a Special Recognition award, praising her inspirational strength.
And she has needed all of that strength after a devastating few weeks in which she has lost her husband and mother to coronavirus, and suffered serious illness herself.
The awe-inspiring grandmother, now 73, was still working up until January this year when she suddenly collapsed. “I was feeling a bit funny for a few days, but still going to the office, doing what I do, when I passed out.”
Daughter Jo-Ann called an ambulance and she was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for an urgent heart procedure. But the operation was delayed when tests revealed she had coronavirus.
Patsy was in hospital for 12 days, during which time her 94-year-old mother Violet fell ill with the virus and passed away.
Patsy’s husband Dorrie, 84, had also been admitted to hospital with complications from his diabetes. After returning home, he too tested positive for coronavirus and died the day after Patsy was discharged.
“He should never have been sent home,” says Jo-Ann. “It was so hard for mum, I could not visit her in hospital and in the space of two days she lost her mother and husband. It really has been a tough start to the year.”
Despite her enormous loss, Patsy just wants to get back to work. “All I can do is stay positive. We have lots of plans for when lockdown ends. I survived, and I keep saying to myself, ‘I am here for a purpose, and I am not finished yet.’”
THE MANCHESTER SURVIVORS CHOIR
The Spirit of Manchester Award in 2019 honoured the entire city for its strength and compassion in the aftermath of the 2017 Arena bombing.
Among those representing the 2.5 million people of Manchester on our stage was Cath Hill, founder of the Manchester Survivors Choir.
And at the end of the night, the choir provided a spine-tingling climax to the show with a soaring performance of Andra Day’s Rise Up.
Cath, a social worker, recalls: “It was such a celebration and we were honoured to be there. It was fantastic to be in our city and among such heroes, while at the same time sharing our story of hope, resilience and pride.
“For the young people in our choir, it was so inspirational to be there and have so many positive experiences. We did not want the night to end.”
Cath founded the choir in February 2018 after she and son Jake, then 10, suffered post traumatic stress from the Manchester Arena bomb nine months before.
She explains: “It was Jake’s first pop concert. I consider myself to be one of the lucky, unlucky ones. We were so fortunate to leave with our lives and not endure physical injury, but have experienced the psychological scars which occur when you fear for your life and survive when others have died.”
Cath decided to set up the choir so that survivors could come together and support each other. “We recognised that we all had something in common other than the tragedy, and that was that our kids loved music.”
At their first meeting, 18 survivors assembled together to sing. The group has now grown to over 60 regular members who have taken part in events across the country. Sadly they have not been able to meet and rehearse for most of this year due to the coronavirus.
However last May they were able to take part in a special show to mark the third anniversary of the atrocity. The four-hour Manchester Remembers show was filmed and streamed live to commemorate the occasion and pay respect to those who died.
Topping the bill was Spice Girl Melanie C, and the Manchester Survivors Choir together with Corrie star Cath Tyldesley recorded a socially-distanced performance outside at MediaCityUK.
“It was fantastic, but we can’t wait to all be together properly again and give each other a big hug,” says Cath.
EMMA HARRIS
Young Fundraiser of the Year, 2019
Emma Harris’s extraordinary fundraising efforts may have been temporarily derailed last year by the pandemic, but she’s raring to go in 2021.
Emma was honoured at Pride of Manchester for raising more than £20,000 for the Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group by selling gingerbread biscuits shaped like socks. Born with Down’s Syndrome, Emma had launched the gingerbread sock appeal two years earlier.
Together with her dad Chris, she approached a bakery to produce the biscuits to be sold on World Down’s Syndrome Day to raise funds and awareness.
Emma’s idea has not only helped raise the profile of the charity, which supports more than 100 people with Down’s Syndrome and their families, but has raised awareness among more than 15,000 school children.
Now 17, Emma is still very much dedicated to fundraising for the charity, but her efforts were hit hard by the first lockdown last year..
Chris explains: “Last March Emma and I delivered 55,000 biscuits by hand to all the local schools. But then days later they all closed. The biscuits lay there in boxes unsold. It was very unfortunate. We went back and gave away what we could to places like our local ambulance stations and the police. It is a real shame as we were set to raise £30,000.”
Emma is studying office and IT skills at college, and like teenagers all over the country, has been learning from home.
“She has embraced homelearning and become a whizz at Zoom calls,” says Chris proudly. “Her college has been fantastic, but yes she has really missed being with her friends and can’t wait to go back.”
The future looks bright. Emma has had her first vaccination, and she is determined to get fundraising again this year.
“She keeps asking me when we will be able to start selling the socks again, she is very keen to get going. She is such a great ambassador for the project and will absolutely be back.”
BRYN HUGHES Fundraiser of the Year, 2019
When Bryn Hughes collected his trophy in 2019, he was already planning his next fundraising quest.
And now he has come up with a lockdown challenge to raise even more money for good causes.
Since his 23-year-old daughter PC Nicola Hughes was murdered by fugitive Dale Creegan in 2012, the former prison officer has channeled his grief into helping others.
He launched the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund, raising money with challenges such as the North Pole Marathon in 2014 and the New York Marathon in 2016. So far he has raised more than £300,000 to provide support, educational opportunities and career training for young people bereaved by violent crime.
Bryn received his award in an emotional presentation from Emmerdale actress Samantha Giles and Olympian Iwan Thomas.
“I haven’t worn a suit since that amazing night,” he says. “It was incredible to be there amongst so many amazing people and to be recognised. I also loved meeting Iwan, who promised me that he’d join me in my next marathon. I must try and get in touch to remind him!”
A few months later, Bryn and his team of more than 60 police and prison officers and staff ran the New York Marathon, raising a further £60,000.
Lockdown put paid to fundraising events last year, but Run To Remember 2021 will take place this spring.
It has the motto “Anywhere, Anytime with Anyone”, and Bryn explains: “It is a perfect run to do socially distanced, as you do it in your own time and pace. People run two miles a day for 100 days. But this year we are introducing a slightly easier option, so that you can run a mile for 50 days. There is even an app for people to log their runs.”
Bryn adds: “I am a great believer in health and well-being helping your mental health and there is no better time to get out running than now.”
Some of the money the charity has raised has paid to train nearly 100 Victim Support volunteers, and Bryn hopes that future funds will go towards a national memorial to honour all fallen police officers.
He says: “I get the strength from wanting to make a difference. I also get the strength from what Nicola would do if it was me. I think she would do the same.”