The 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards has today been launched as the search begins to shine a spotlight on the incredible people who go the extra mile to make our community such a great place to be.
The glittering event, one of the biggest in the Liverpool City Region’s events calendar, will take place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 24th April 2025.
Now it’s up to you – organisers would love to hear your nominations about who deserves to be recognised across 13 different categories, each sponsored by a local business.
You can nominate here: Pride Of Sefton Awards
The 2025 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards was a truly moving and inspiring event, with the Main Award sponsored by The Grand going to the incredible families of Elsie, Alice and Bebe.
It was a night full of stars when everyone stood to give a standing ovation to some truly remarkable people.
There were over 2,000 nominations last year, reflecting the immense community spirit we have locally, leaving judges with some very difficult decisions.
Previous Main Winners have included Southport Lifeboat founder Kath Wilson and James Bulger Memorial Trust founder Denise Fergus.
Who stands out for you this year?
It’s time now to honour those unsung heroes who have done so much.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards wants to recognise local heroes of all ages from across Sefton, in a wide range of categories, who do so much day after day to make our borough such a special place to live and work.
The event is organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport, with media support from In Demand Radio.
The previous awards events have raised thousands of pounds for the ICU Steps Appeal with the Southport Together appeal being an additional beneficiary last year.
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:
“The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards is a truly special night. It’s one of the highlights of the year.
“You cannot fail to be inspired by the incredible things that local people do day in, day out to make where we live a better place for all.
“The people being honoured do what they do in such a humble and selfless way and it’s always an honour to meet them and to hear their stories.
“Since we first launched the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards in 2023, we have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of entries across all categories.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at our most recent awards, when our winners included the families of Elsie, Alice and Bebe.
“They have lost more than any of us can ever imagine – and yet their response has been to give back to our community in such an inspiring way.
“We are delighted to launch the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, and can’t wait to see your nominations.”
There are 13 categories on offer in this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Stand Up For Southport Director Andrew Brown said:
“We were all blown away by the stories we heard last year about the amazing unseen things being done every day by local people.
“We want these awards to highlight what community champions are doing to improve lives for everyone in our community.
“Entering is easy – please let us know who we should be honouring in 2026!
“We are seeking nominations from Southport, Bootle, Formby, Crosby, Maghull and across Sefton in a range of areas, from School of The Year, Diversity and Inclusion, Business In The Community, Sefton Arts Award, Unsung Hero, Charity Champion, Sportsperson Of The Year, Courage Award, Child of Courage, and more.
“Do you know that unsung hero who does so much to help others? Someone who has shown bravery or courage? A school you’re proud of? A local sporting hero? Someone blazing a trail in the arts world? A person making a difference to a local charity? Please let us know.
“Nominating is easy, either through our Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards website or through email: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
“We look forward to seeing all your nominations.”
Categories include:
1 – Main Award – Pride of Sefton
The night’s premier award will salute a person or organisation who judges believe has made a truly inspiring or outstanding contribution to Sefton over the past two years.
2 – Diversity and Inclusion Award
Sefton is a truly welcoming borough. We’d love to hear about those who have gone out of their way to promote diversity and inclusion within our area.
3 – Sefton Arts Award
Sefton wants to shout loud and proud about those who have achieved remarkable things in the world of stage, screen, and music. We want to hear about bright young things and those who have made it to the very top.
4 – Charity Champion Award
Charities local and nationally survive and thrive on the cash raised by big-hearted fundraisers. And they have really needed it in these tough times. We don’t just want to hear who has raised the most, but how they have done it, what difference has it made and why it has inspired you.
5 – Child of Courage Award
We are searching for nominees who have shown immense courage in the face of adversity. Courage comes in different shapes – is it a child who has battled illness, performed an act of bravery or done something truly remarkable while up against the odds?
6 – Courage Award
Many tales of the heroism, courage or bravery of people from Sefton go untold – and we’d like to change that. Nominees could have performed a dramatic rescue or maybe they’ve overcome illness or injury to record inspiring achievements.
7 – Unsung Hero Award
Tell us about the person who makes a huge difference to our borough’s communities, organisations or teams but who rarely gets a spot in the limelight.
8 – Community Impact Award
Which person or organisation has had the biggest positive impact on their community? How have they made Sefton a better place or helped people? Have they used their heart as well as their business head to serve their area?
9 – Sportsperson of the Year
Whose achievements in the sporting arena have been the brightest over the past two years?
We want nominations from all sporting fields – from amateurs to professionals, and from coaches to players.
10 – Young Sportsperson of the Year
Which of Sefton’s sporting juniors have recorded the biggest achievement? In a borough with so much talent we would expect a deluge of entries. Tell us who stands out? (Nominees must not have reached their 19th birthday by 1st March.)
11 – Business In The Community Award
Businesses play a vital role in making our communities better for all. We’d like to celebrate all those who have made a real difference.
12 – School Of The Year Award
Schools are brilliant at getting involved in local issues. But which ones have gone further to really improve the world around them? We’d love to honour those that have.
13 – Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award
This award recognises a person who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to life in Sefton. There will be no shortlist for this title announced prior to this award – instead the judging panel will reflect on potential candidates during the process and the winner will be awarded on the night.
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