Inspirational Community heroes from across Sefton were honoured in style at the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
The glittering event celebrated selfless, talented and courageous people across 13 categories at The Grand in Southport on Friday night (24th April 2026).
The evening was hosted by former Sky Sports News presenter Fraser Dainton with VIP guests including HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Burns, on one of her final engagements to crown her three busy years as Mayor.
Funds were raised on the night for the ICU Steps charity, which supports patients in intensive care and their families.
The Main Grand Of Pride Sefton Awards Winner was Karen Groves MBE, who founded Queenscourt Hospice 35 years ago this year.
There was a standing ovation as Dr Groves stepped up to collect her award.
The hospice has provided compassionate care for tens of thousands of families across Southport, West Lancashire and Formby since it was opened by Princess Diana in 1991.
Since her retirement, Karen Groves MBE has continued to support the charity through her Karen Groves Legacy Foundation.
She has been at the forefront this year of Queenscourt’s biggest ever challenge, maintaining its vital services during a time of severe financial challenges.
Honoured as the Finalist in the Main Award was Marie Buchanan, with a volunteer saying ‘Marie IS Southport Soup Kitchen!’
For over 20 years, Marie has dedicated herself to helping thousands of vulnerable individuals and families, supporting them to access hot food and basic provisions.
Other winners included Sefton Charity Champion Sergio Aguiar, who has completed five out of six World Marathon Majors – in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Boston.
He was unable to attend the awards as he gets ready to run his sixth, the London Marathon, this Sunday.
Sergio is running to reach out to people from around the world to support the Alice’s WonderDance Foundation that he and wife Alexandra founded in memory of their beloved daughter, Alice who tragically died in the Southport tragedy.
His award was collected on his behalf by Filipe Barata and Caridad Rivas.
Both have been friends of the family for a long time. Filipe ran the London Marathon last year to raise funds for the new playground at Churchtown Primary School in memory of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, while Caridad is one of the charity’s volunteer supporters.
Sefton Child Of Courage Award winners included Harrison Dale, a 14-year-old Southport boy who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
After months of aggressive chemotherapy, he was told he was in remission last September and decided to use his experience to make a difference.
He was the driving force behind a 24-hour community sponsored swim in Southport, raising over £27,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Penelope Vidal-Walsh battled meningitis and other infections during a 7 month period in Alder Hey, undergoing a triple amputation of both her legs and right arm as well as countless skin grafts.
She is learning to write again with her left hand, and has returned to school, showing incredible resilience and determination.
Holly Barnes, aged 5, has Stage 4 Advanced Neuroblastoma which she’s battled for two years, undergoing cancer treatment a long way from home. This time last year her family were called to hospital to say their goodbyes – but she amazed everyone – as she miraculously pulled through.
Holly is very inventive and from her hospital room she opened a tattoo shop offering free tattoos to all the hospital staff and some visitors.
Llewyn Sunderland is an incredible 10-year-old who ran the Southport 10K alongside his mum and dad.
Llewyn is deaf and was recently diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, which causes hearing loss and progressive vision loss.
He ran the Southport 10K for Elsie’s Story, raising over £1,000.
The Sefton Business in the Community Award sponsored by In Demand Radio was won by My Mind Matters CIC which runs The Bakehouse in Southport, opening doors to people who are rebuilding confidence, navigating mental health or neurodiversity, and people who need structure, purpose, or a gentle re‑entry into community life.
Sefton Sportsperson of The Year sponsored by Solarcrown went to Jenny Taylor.
In 2014, Jenny founded her netball club alongside friend Michelle with just four or five young girls attending each week – there are now over 180 members and 16 teams competing, from children aged four to women in their 50s.
The Sefton Community Impact Award sponsored by Carlsberg was won by Liz Hartley.
As Fundraising Manager for Queenscourt Hospice, Liz is the lead organiser for major events such as Star Trekk and Southport Santa Sprint and has created exciting new events such as the Strictly dance event, a sell-out success each year.
The Sefton Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Fletchers went to Andrea McGee, a palliative night sitter, who works four nights a week bringing love and care to people, while still supporting her three beloved grandchildren at home.
The Sefton Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by LWC was won by Kenny O’Brien.
Last month, Kenny retired after 32 years at Litherland Youth and Community Centre, where he has supported thousands of young people and generations of families who still to this day talk about the positive impact he’s had on their lives.
The Sefton Arts Award was won by The Southport Hookers, who earned worldwide fame after they worked with the Royal British Legion to create a stunning life-sized Supermarine Spitfire – made from crochet – that was installed in the Southport Town Hall Gardens.
Diane and Byron Chapman, who founded the Southport Offkey Choir, won the Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Southport Offkey Choir is formed of people with learning disabilities who are always warmly encouraged to join in, as well as those who are terminally ill, and adults who struggle with socialisation or mobility.
Linaker Primary School in Southport won the prestigious Sefton School of the Year, after showing what it truly means to be the heart of a community.
Car park attendant Liam Howard won the Sefton Courage Award and was hailed as “an absolute hero” after he saved a much-loved grandfather’s life while on duty at the NCP car park in Southport town centre.
Sefton Grand Pride Of Sefton 2026 Winners and Finalists:
Sefton Young Sportsperson of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail
Noah Cunningham (Winner)
Caiden Thistleton (Winner)
Hendro Hattingh (Winner)
Erin Bannon (Winner)
Sefton Child of Courage – sponsored by Cooper Parry Accountants
Harrison Dale (winner)
Penelope Vidal-Walsh (winner)
Holly Barnes (winner)
Llewyn Sunderland (winner)
Sefton Arts Award – sponsored by Fitton Estates
The Southport Hookers (winner)
Emmy Porter (finalist)
Nicola Robson (finalist)
Sefton Charity Champion Award – sponsored by Halliwell Jones
Sergio Aguiar (winner)
David Massam (finalist)
Gareth Johnson (finalist)
Sefton Business in the Community Award – sponsored by In Demand Radio
My Mind Matters CIC (winner)
Neil Walsh and Tom Hodkin (finalists)
Dowhigh (finalists)
Sefton School of The Year – sponsored by Southport Education Group
Linaker Primary School (winner)
The Pines at Redgate Primary School (finalist)
Maghull High School (finalist)
Sefton Sportsperson of The Year Award – sponsored by Solarcrown
Jenny Taylor (winner)
Becca Donnelly (finalist)
Malcolm Teale (finalist)
Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award – sponsored by Sefton Council
Diane and Byron Chapman (winner)
Danielle Alzahabi (finalist)
Christopher Duckworth (finalist)
Sefton Community Impact Award – sponsored by Carlsberg
Liz Hartley (winner)
Crosby Wombles (finalist)
Margy Allen (finalist)
Sefton Courage Award – sponsored by the EFT Group
Liam Howard (winner)
Southport Lifeboat (finalist)
Sefton Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Fletchers
Andrea McGee (winner)
Barbara Hodgson (finalist)
Nick Weatherby (finalist)
Sefton Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award – sponsored by LWC
Kenny O’Brien (winner)
Adrian Antell (finalist)
Steve Weekes and Gavin Hynes (finalists)
The Grand Pride of Sefton Award – sponsored by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group
Dr Karen Groves MBE (winner)
Marie Buchanan (finalist)
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with media partners In Demand Radio with support from Southport BID.
There are 13 categories including Child of Courage, School Of The Year, Community Impact, Charity Champion and more, plus the Main Award.
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