Sergio Aguiar has won the Sefton Charity Champion Of The Year Award sponsored by Halliwell Jones Kia Southport after he ran six world major marathons around the world in memory of his beloved daughter Alice.
Alexandra Aguiar was also honoured as a Finalist, at the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards held at The Grand in Southport.
In recent months Sergio has completed marathons in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and London, with Alexandra by his side all the way in memory of their beloved daughter, Alice, 9, who tragically died in the Southport tragedy.
The couple have been sharing their love for Alice throughout the world and raising awareness and money for Alice’s WonderDance, which empowers young people through dance programmes, wellness initiatives, and creative expression.
The couple, who live in Southport, are also working with the families of Elsie and Bebe – Dave and Jen Stancombe and Lauren and Ben King – to transform the Town Hall Gardens in Southport into a fun, creative, family-friendly events space full of joy and laughter, bringing visitors into Southport.
Between them, they have secured £10 million in funding from the Government to carry out the work.
The couple were unable to attend the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards as they were in London, getting ready for the 2026 London Marathon, which Sergio completed, running alongside his friend, Dave Stancombe.
The couple’s awards were collected on their behalf by their great friends Filipe Barata and Caridad Rivas.
Speaking after the London Marathon, Sergio and Alaxandra Aguiar said: “Sergio and I would like to say a huge thank you to every single one of you. From day one, your support has meant everything, your donations, kind messages, the beeps on the road while Sergio was training, and everyone who stopped to chat with us.
“There’s been so much love, not just in our community but far beyond it, and we’re incredibly grateful.
“A special thank you as well to BBC Breakfast for following Sergio’s journey and helping share it with so many others.
“We truly couldn’t have done this without you.
“We can’t believe it’s all over, what an experience it’s been. Carrying Alice’s name across six different cities meant everything to us.
“It wasn’t easy, especially knowing the reason behind it all, but every step was driven by love, strength, and determination.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Sergio, who lives in Southport, is running to reach out to people from around the world to support the Alice’s WonderDance Foundation that he and Alexandra founded in memory of their beloved daughter, Alice, 9, who tragically died in the Southport tragedy.
Her spirit carries on through Alice’s WonderDance, which empowers young people through dance programmes, wellness initiatives, and creative expression.
The families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice have teamed up to personally secure £10 million from the Government.
This year they are working together and using that money to transform the Town Hall Gardens in Southport into a fun, creative, family-friendly events space full of joy and laughter, bringing visitors into Southport.
There were many nominations submitted for both Sergio and Alexandra.
One nomination said: “Alice was a ray of sunshine and joy – Sergio and his wife Alexandra suffered the most unimaginable loss after she was taken from them.
“But they have turned their grief into a passion for helping others.
“Sergio’s strength, determination and compassion make him a worthy winner of this award.”
Another nomination, from Claire Fielden, said: “While suffering daily with the unbearable pain of losing his daughter Alice Aguiar in such a horrific way, Sergio has become an inspiration to so many people with his courage of not only facing the world everyday without Alice but by taking in the world marathons to build a legacy in her honour and fundraising to bring joy and happiness to the lives of underprivileged children in the world of dance.
“Through the daily fight he continues to remain strong and determined to achieve all the challenges he sets himself.
“Many others in the community including myself have taken up running challenges following in his footsteps and helping to raise money for Alice’s WonderDance.
“Sergio and Alexandra deserve so much recognition for everything they are achieving and support from anyone who can help make their charity a long-standing success.”
The 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards celebrated selfless, talented and courageous people across 13 categories at The Grand in Southport on 24th April 2026.
The Main Award was won by Queenscourt Hospice founder Dr Karen Groves MBE.
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.
Funds were raised on the night for the ICU Steps charity, which supports patients in intensive care and their families.
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.
Next year’s event takes place on Friday 30th April 2027.
To submit your nomination for next year’s awards visit: Pride Of Sefton Awards
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