There were tears, joy and a standing ovation when the Liverpool city region came together to honour the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar.
The parents of the youngsters, who lost their lives in the Southport tragedy last summer, were each given a Special Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes to recognise the courage and resilience they have shown since the attack.
Each of the families have set up charities in memory of their little girls to make lives better for others: Bebe’s Hive offering a grief support service for children; Elsie’s Story providing medical care, community events, and bereavement support for children and families, and Alice’s WonderDance Foundation delivering dance programs, resources, and community events for those who need it most.
The Special Award, presented by former Chief Constable of Merseyside Serena Kennedy, was the climax of an emotional and inspirational evening honouring all those who make our city region better.
Others celebrated at the first ever Guide HEROES awards held at the Titanic Hotel included:
* Speedo Mick who was given the Liverpool City Region Superhero award in recognition of the incredible work he has done, overcoming homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues to raise more than £1m for charities
* Claire House Children’s Hospice which won Charity of the Year for helping seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full while offering specialist nursing and end of life care, and support for the children and their families
* Mark King OBE, who launched the Oliver King Foundation after the death of his 12-year-old son to see life-saving defibrillators installed in public places
Hundreds of people attended the sparkling awards evening launched to mark 10 years of The Guide Liverpool – but more importantly to celebrate and reward all those whose stories it has shared throughout the decade, the individuals, fundraisers, organisations and businesses of Liverpool who selflessly and determinedly undertake challenges and strive positively forward to make the City Region the outstanding place it is.
Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool, was delighted with the response to the inaugural awards event, and overwhelmed and humbled by all the finalists – not just the winners who received their accolades.
While many of the awards were voted for by the public, the special awards were decided for by Jay and The Guide team, who are ‘constantly in awe of the people we feature who make us and our city better’.
Jay Hynd, who hosted the evening along with The Guide presenter Gemma Cutting, said:
“It was through sharing the stories and reading about all the amazing people in the Liverpool City Region that made us realise it was time to honour them. I knew it would be difficult because there are so many, but I truly hadn’t realised just how difficult it would be. (We halted a public vote on our Make A Difference Award when we realised that all of the five finalists deserved, and had, to win).
“The evening itself was such a moving occasion, and it was an absolute privilege to shine a spotlight on everyone who has made a massive difference to so many people and to Liverpool, and to honour them and celebrate them in one very special night.
“There were tears – tissues were needed – but there was lots of laughter and cheering too.”
He added: We are grateful to all our sponsors and to Liverpool Cruise Port and San Carlo Restaurants with whom we brought the event, but mainly to the award winners and finalists to whom we all owe so much.”
After the awards presentations there was dancing to Liverpool singer and songwriter Rebecca Ferguson, who performed live at the event, and DJ Jack Hellier.
The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 winners are:
The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 Special Award
The families of Southport victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar
Liverpool City Region Superhero
Speedo Mick
Child of Courage – sponsored by Gaskells Waste
Jessica Dowle – Jessica’s Stoma Journey
Henry Brammer – who has raised £30,000 for Alder Hey while being a patient
Zachary Kewley – who saved the life of a three-year-old girl on holiday in Mexico
Maximus ‘Mighty Max’ Johnson – a posthumous award to honour his brave cancer battle
The Inspiration Award – sponsored by Liverpool Cruise Port
Mark King OBE – Oliver King Foundation.
After Mark’s son Oliver, 12, died after suffering a cardiac arrest while taking part in a school swimming race in 2012, he has campaigned to get thousands of defibrillators installed in public spaces, and train thousands of people in life-saving CPR techniques. So far 89 lives have been saved because of it.
Unsung Hero – sponsored by Wild Thang
John Hughes – Liverpool Nightlife CIC
Business Hero – sponsored by Morecrofts Solicitors
Anthony Grice – FIKA
Business of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company
Mowgli
Charity of the Year
Claire House Children’s Hospice
Community Project – sponsored by Sedulo
A Celebration for Zoe’s Place Concert
Community Hero – sponsored by Greatest Hits Radio
Fans Supporting Food Banks
Sustainability – sponsored by Liverpool ONE
Zero Waste Liverpool
Emergency Services
North West Air Ambulance
Fundraising Hero
Olly Harrison
Inspiring Influencer – sponsored by San Carlo
Tyler Daclaire
Sports Hero – sponsored by BOXPARK Liverpool
Weapons Down Gloves Up
The Make A Difference Award – sponsored by Radisson RED
Tim Edwards & John May
Joanne Colleran
Kieran Shingler
Cheryl Korbel
Alfie Fitzsimmons
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