For 25 years, Pride of Britain has delivered magical moments, from emotional reunions to amazing surprises – and tonight’s anniversary awards ceremony did not disappoint.
From a heroic eight-year-old girl with leukaemia whose spirit has led celebrities to donate thousands to her charity, to a beaming five-year-old who came face to face with screen idol Paddington, this year’s gala was more moving than ever.
As always, it was a night of ordinary people doing extraordinary things – often battling odds to save lives and make the world a better place.
And as always, famous faces faded into the background as real heroes took to the stage. The 25th anniversary saw guests wearing silver, and there were some tear-jerking moments right from the start.
The evening began with a special tribute to former Mirror editor Peter Willis, who passed away in 2021 aged 54. He embodied everything the awards he founded stood for.
Simon Cowell paid a personal tribute to Peter and explained how his legacy lives on.
This set the stage for an evening celebrating our finest achievements, including a special fundraising drive for Florrie Burke.
Eight-year-old Florrie charmed the audience with her infectious laughter and joy of life, despite battling acute myeloid leukaemia and waiting for a lung transplant.
She giggled and chatted away when Masked Singer presenter Joel Dommett and Strictly’s Obi Mabuse, who presented her with the Child of Courage award, told her this. It brightens up any room.”
While Strictly star Sam Thompson walked through the auditorium with Pete Wicks and Towie, urging celebs to donate to new charity MeMoreFab, Florey had everyone laughing hysterically by shouting: “Get them all!” Get them rolled up! Get them Duncan Ballantine! Before they hide.”
And their enthusiasm paid off, with the Dragons donating £30,000 to the charity, raising more than £100,000 in total.
The organisation will provide online and face-to-face classes, music therapy and other activities for children with cancer to ensure they don’t miss anything during their vital treatment.
Celebrities quickly reached for tissues when first prize went to 5-year-old Ayla Mota, who lost a limb to sepsis but didn’t let it rob her of the joy of life.
She took to the stage in a ballerina outfit and the audience heard her give it her all in everything she does, from school to gymnastics to horseback riding to ice skating.
“She keeps me together,” said Mama Eulanda. People ask me: ‘How do you cope?’ She’s smiling and that’s all that matters.”
They were joined on stage by Cowell and Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft, but her biggest delight came when Paddington Bear turned up to present her with his Child of Courage award.
Who can’t be inspired by a story like that of 10-year-old Jacob Newson, who lost his mother Andrea when he was seven and has since raised more than £150,000 for the hospice and other charities that care for her?
Receiving the Good Morning Britain Fundraiser of the Year award from footballer Jill Scott and adventurer Steve Backshall, Jacob said: “I don’t even know how I got here. I know she’d be incredibly proud of me.” The father was swept away by a wave and pulled out to sea.
The 51-year-old mother of three stripped down to her underwear, dove into the icy water and swam 200 metres to save her children. Just as 10-year-old James’ father collapsed from hypothermia, she pulled them safely to shore. Emily was in tears when she was reunited with James.
Presenting the award for outstanding bravery, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “They saw the danger and just went towards it.”
Molly Leonard (26), from South Wales, was overjoyed to be greeted by James. Corden received the King’s Trust Young Achiever Award.
Having lived with anorexia since she was 15, she decided to use Mindful Crafting to help people with mental health problems by holding sessions in schools, youth services and the local community.
She said: “I had no idea what my future held, so my dream is to be here and just live.”
In an evening dominated by inspirational girls and women, Diana Parks and Hetty Barkworth-Nanton were honoured for their achievements in understanding the tragedy and giving hope to so many other women who are victims of domestic violence.
After Joanna Simpson, Princess Diana’s daughter and Hetty’s best friend, was bludgeoned to death by her estranged husband in 2010 while their two young children crouched in the playroom, the two women decided to make her brutal death in vain.
They founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation, which provides protection and support for thousands of children affected by domestic violence.
Carol Vorderman, who has hosted the awards every year since the first ceremony and now co-hosts with Ashley Banjo, is overcome with emotion and sheds tears at the ceremony.
Other heroes include former lifeboat helmsman Hewitt Clark, 79, who served with the RNLI for 35 years and saved 319 lives, and who received this morning’s Emergency Services Award.
The courage and strength of our armed forces is also exemplified by former Gurkha Hari Budha Magar, who lost both his legs to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010.
He has inspired many with his determination to not let his injury stop him and prove that “anything is possible”.
The 45-year-old received a special commendation and will become the first bilateral above-knee amputee to summit Everest in May 2023.
Hari cried as he was reunited with the five fellow Gurkha soldiers who had saved him and embraced them tightly.
He told them: “Thank you for giving me a second chance to live life again.”
Equally tireless is Manny Sing Kang, who has raised more than £260,000 for Dementia UK since 2018, winning the ITV Fundraiser of the Year award.
Accepting his award from Oscar winner Jim Broadbent, Manny explained: “But it’s just a thought. Throw it in the bin.