An inspirational girl who saved the lives of several children during the Southport tragedy has enjoyed a surprise visit at her school where she was presented with a Sefton Courage Award through this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
‘Sarah’ (not her real name) was awarded the accolade during a special visit to Greenbank High School in Southport by Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside Julie Lawson BEM and Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards co-organiser Andrew Brown.
The brave 14-year-old cannot be identified due to a court order made after the incident last year.
She was accompanied by headteacher Davina Aspinall; CEO of Southport Learning Trust Ian Raikes; student mentor Alison Fitzgerald; and her Mum and Dad.
‘Sarah’ was unable to attend the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport in person as she had been invited to a special reception at 10 Downing Street in London on the same evening.
The following morning she was among children from Southport Learning Trust who were running the 2.6km London Mini Marathon, a precursor to the London Marathon, as part of the #kNOKnifeCrime campaign.
‘Sarah’ has been a determined campaigner against knife crime violence and is working hard to raise funds and awareness for bleed kits in schools and for schoolchildren to learn first aid training.
During the Southport tragedy, she was 13 years old when she was seriously wounded but still courageously managed to lead several other young children, including her younger sister, to safety.
‘Sarah’ had offered to help the two teachers as they were hosting the event.
She was subsequently stabbed once in the right arm and twice to the back, causing a spinal fracture.
She told BBC Panorama: “I remember seeing the girls all like huddling around the stairs. So I remember shouting for them to get down and get out. So I was physically pushing them down the stairs to get everyone out.”
Despite her injuries, ‘Sarah’ managed to lead several other children out of the venue, up the driveway and across the street, where a local resident was fixing his garden wall.
‘Sarah’ told him she had been stabbed and led the children into his house.
Out of more than 2,000 nominations for this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, there were dozens for ‘Sarah’.
One message said: “I nominated this young girl as she is definitely a hero. She was stabbed twice but still managed to get children downstairs and out across the road to safety. She definitely deserves a hero award.”
Another said: “She showed immense bravery and courage. ‘Sarah’ got several children to a place of safety after she herself suffered horrendous injuries from the attacker.”
Another said: “Her quick thinking and courageous act meant she saved her sister’s life and many other children’s lives. She also supported her sister after the event.”
Greenbank High School Headteacher Davina Aspinall said: “We are so very proud of ‘Sarah’ for winning the Sefton Child of Courage Award. Her bravery, strength, and unwavering determination in the face of unimaginable adversity are truly inspirational.
“She is a shining example of resilience and bravery, a credit to our school, her family and our wider community.
“Sarah’s story reminds us all of the power of courage and kindness – she is an inspiration to us all.”
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised annually by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport with media support from In Demand Radio, with each of the 13 categories sponsored by supportive local businesses.
Over 2,000 nominations were received for this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Next year’s awards will take place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 24th April 2026.
For more details please email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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