When it comes to courage, there is a group of volunteers who display it every day of the year to keep others safe – Southport Lifeboat.
This year marks 140 years since the UK’s most tragic lifeboat disaster took place off the coast of Southport.
27 lives of local people were lost in the infamous 1886 Mexico lifeboat disaster.
14 of the 16 crew members aboard the Southport Lifeboat Eliza Fernley drowned along with all 13 of the St Anne’s Lifeboat Laura Janet.
It shows the danger and the selflessness of putting out to sea in all weathers in order to try and save others’ lives.
It’s what the volunteers of Southport Lifeboat do every single day.
They do so for no financial reward. They give their time, their expertise, and they put their lives on the line to keep our coastlines safe.
The boards on the wall of the Southport Lifeboat Station show how many hundreds of lives they have rescued.
Southport Lifeboat is totally independent of the RNLI and was founded in the 1980s by local Mum Kath Wilson after the tragic loss of her son at sea.
Kath was the first ever Main Winner of the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, when the event was first held at The Grand in Southport in 2023.
She was back this year for the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards, when Southport Lifeboat was the Finalist in the Sefton Courage Award sponsored by EFT Group.
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.
For more details about the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards email: [email protected]
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