At a time when the future seems more unsure than ever there is always one certainty we can rely on.
That this uniquely uplifting celebration of the latent heroism in our midst will renew our faith in humanity.
After 22 years you would imagine the Pride of Britain had run out of heroes and of superlatives to describe them. But last night’s ceremony was yet another peerless example of how our nation is brimming with selflessness, courage and compassion.
These awards had a different feel to it. After last year’s virtual event there was joy that these heroes could once again be celebrated in the flesh, but sadness at the absence of its founder and heartbeat, Peter Willis, who died earlier this year.
The awards had another difference this year too, with Ashley Banjo joining Carol Vorderman as a co-host for the first time.
Once again, during the pre-ceremony dinner at Grosvenor House in London all eyes were on the famous faces such as Sharon Stone, Simon Cowell, Stephen Fry, Mo Farah and Rod Stewart. But, as ever, when the 1,000-strong audience were regaled with tales of devotion and heroism, some of which forced the tears to flow freely, the only stars on view were the ones picking up the gongs.
The remarkable youngsters don’t just give you renewed hope for the future, they make you wince at our own ineptitude.
Take Child of Courage winner Harmonie-Rose Allen. The seven-year-old from Bath was given a 10% chance of survival as a toddler when meningitis forced surgeons to amputate both her arms and her legs.
After more then 10 operations the quadruple amputee is an active swimmer and gymnast who has raised more than £76,000 for Meningitis Now through events such as the Bath Half Marathon.
When Carol Vorderman asked her what motivated her to fight the odds she replied in a matter-of-fact way: “Never give up and keep on going with your life.”
Spirit of Adventure winner Max Woosey, who raised £640,000 for a North Devon hospice by sleeping for more than 500 nights in a tent in his garden, shamed us with his determination.
The 12-year-old, inspired by the death of a family friend from cancer, braved sub-zero frosts, heatwaves and even Storm Bella, to help others have a peaceful end to their lives. How apt that survival expert Bear Grylls was the man to hand him his award. He praised his selflessness and told him: “You never gave up. What a hero.’
Hughie Higginson, 10, and Freddie Xavi, 11, have raised more than £220,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him thank his doctors and nurses at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Freddie ran 2km every day for 50 days and Hughie summoned all his strength to join his mate on the final stretch so they could cross the line together, hand-in-hand.
Mo Farah turned up to give them their Young Fundraisers of the Year award and told them “I am lucky to have a team behind me, but what you did was amazing.”
No problem facing us right now is more critical than mankind’s abuse of the planet, so how reassuring to hear about teenage sisters Amy and Ella Meek, from Nottingham, who set up a charity to help fight the scourge of plastic pollution.
They’ve personally collected 100,000 pieces of rubbish, one for every sea mammal killed by plastic pollution every year and their charity Kids Against Plastic has inspired more than 1,000 schools and 50 cafes, businesses, festivals and councils to commit to being “plastic clever.” They received a standing ovation when they went up to receive the Environmental Champion Award.
But courage and dedication know no age barrier as 82-year-old Lifetime Achievement winner Rosemary Cox, proved. Following the death of 24-year-old son Peter in 1989 from a brain tumour, Rosemary and hubby John Cox campaigned to set up the first Organ Donor Register in the UK.
It was established in 1994 and has since helped to save or transform 20,000 lives with 42% of the population now registered on it. Joanna Lumley handed over her award and told her: “You are a completely inspirational woman. Thousands of lives have been transformed because of you.”
Another remarkable mother who dedicated her life to a cause after the premature death of her son, is Gee Walker.
In 2005 the unprovoked racist murder of 18-year-old aspiring lawyer Anthony Walker shocked the nation. Gee refused to let her life, and Anthony’s memory, be consumed by bitterness, saying she forgave his killers because hate killed her son.
She founded the Anthony Walker Foundation in 2006 to combat racism and promote love, helping almost 10,000 people who have experienced hate crime.
When Eastenders star Rudolph Walker presented her with her Special Recognition Award, he brought the house down by saying: “That inner-strength, that something special that you possess is world-beating. It’s fantastic.” And he appealed to the room: “Please let’s stop hating each other.”
Someone else who turned the pain of tragedy into something positive by ensuring their loved one didn't die in vain is Rob Allen. The 34-year-old founded Sands United, a network of football teams where men who have lost young children can come together to grieve, after his third child Niamh was stillborn.
The stillbirth charity Sands, helped him and wife Charlotte immensely, and Rob realised there were many other men grieving like him so he formed a football team Sands United was born, and entered a local league in Northampton. There are now more than 30 Sands United teams across Britain, each team’s kit is embroidered with the names of the lost babies.
Presenting Rob with his Special Recognition Award, England captain Harry Kane said: “It’s important for men to open up. Huge thanks to yourself for doing that.”
Courage sets these award-winners apart. Courage going way beyond what most of us believe ourselves capable of. Who would have done what part-time Cumbrian firefighter, Stephen Warton, 53, did when threw off his hefty safety gear and risked his life to dive to the rescue of a 13-year-old boy who had been submerged in icy waters for 25 minutes.
The teenager, Casper Krauze, made a steady recovery after being in an induced coma and was able to thank Emergency Services Award winner Stephen on stage, with words of such simplicity: “thank you for so much.”
The Prince’s Trust Young Achiever Award always throws up inspirational heroes and Hassan Alkhawam is no exception. Four years ago, when he was 23, his family fled Syria due to the war and the refugees were rehomed in Northern Ireland.
In his homeland Hassan had been forced to leave full-time education and work to support the family. Thanks to the Trust Hassan took an English language course, is now studying software engineering at university and has been a key worker in Tesco during the pandemic. He is also part of a programme that helps refugees and migrants settle in Northern Ireland.
They say you earn your luck in life so fortune was shining down on Hassan when Hollywood star Sharon Stone presented him with his award and told him “you are one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. I am humbled and privileged to give you this award.”
As all of us lucky enough to be witnessing this year’s Pride of Britain in the Grosvenor Hotel were.
Once again this magnificent celebration of the best of human values lived up to its billing as the greatest awards show bar none.
Full list of Pride of Britain winners
Lifetime Achievement – Rosemary Cox, 82, from Wolverhampton
Successfully campaigned to set up the first Organ Donor Register in the UK, helping to save thousands of lives.
Special Recognition – Rob Allen, 34, from Northampton
Founded Sands United, an inspirational network of football teams where men who have lost babies and young children can come together to grieve.
Special Recognition – Oxford Vaccine Team
The British scientists behind the vaccine that has helped give us our lives back and the jab is also the most potent weapon against Covid in the developing world.
This Morning Emergency Services Award – Stephen Warton, 53, from Cumbria
The part-time firefighter risked his life to dive to the rescue of a teenager who had been submerged in icy waters for more than 20 minutes.
Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser – Hughie Higginson, 10, and Freddie Xavi, 11, from Manchester
Best pals have raised more than £200,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him thank his doctors and nurses.
Child of Courage – Harmonie-Rose Allen, 7, from Bath
Quadruple amputee given a 10% chance of survival as a toddler has inspired the nation with her courage and unbreakable spirit.
Spirit of Adventure – Max Woosey, 12, from North Devon
“Tent Boy” Max has spent more than 500 nights sleeping under canvas, raising £640,000 for his local hospice.
Special Recognition – Gee Walker, 67, from Liverpool
Forgave her son’s killers and devoted her life to promoting racial harmony in his memory, building a legacy of love to overcome hate.
Environmental Champion – Amy and Ella Meek, 18 and 16, from Nottingham
Campaigning sisters set up a kid’s charity to help fight the global scourge of plastic pollution.
Prince’s Trust Young Achiever – Hassan Alkhawam, 23, from Northern Ireland
When Hassan and his family fled their home in Syria due to the war, they were given refugee status and rehomed in Northern Ireland in 2017. Since arriving in the country, Hassan has transformed his life.
