With the launch of this year’s nationwide search aboard P&’s flagship Britannia, O Cruises’ Prince of Britain is back and bigger than ever. If you know someone who is the Pride of Britain, you can nominate them here…
Pride of Britain is setting sail to look for “Heroes ahoy”! in its biggest search for unique individuals in the British Isles.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises have been celebrating unsung heroes young and old for 26 years.
And today (Friday) co-hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo will be welcoming some of 2024’s winners aboard P&OC’s flagship Britannia to launch the hunt for Pride of Britain’s class of 2025.
Carol, who has hosted every Pride of Britain contest since it first started in 1999, is eager to see recent winners return. She states, “A person who receives a Pride of Britain Award becomes a member of the family, and I can’t wait to see some of our fantastic winners from last year.”
Like the irrepressible bundle of fun Florrie Bark, who won a Child of Courage award for helping so many others while undergoing gruelling treatment for a rare form of leukaemia and waiting for a lung transplant.
The eight-year-old TikTok sensation from Corby, Northants, had the nation smiling through their tears as she accepted her much-deserved Pride of Britain trophy in front of a host of famous faces at London’s Grosvenor House last October, saying: “This is for all the children with cancer who couldn’t be here tonight”.
And Jacob “The Pilot” Newson, a seven-year-old boy who lost his mother to breast cancer and won the category of “Young Fundraiser of the Year” for his bravery raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.
The youngster, who adores flying and airplanes, said, “I just want to make Mummy happy in heaven,” winning everyone over.
They are just two of 2024’s inspirational winners, who have gone above and beyond with their bravery and compassion for others – but we know there are many more amazing people out there.
The Awards is now conducting its largest ever search for the country’s unsung heroes, which spans every region of the country and extends its borders to the British coastline.
Florrie and Jacob are part of a group of 2024 winners handing over the baton – in the form of an iconic Pride of Britain trophy, which they are delivering to Britannia today, as it embarks on a circumnavigation of Britain.
The 2024 winners will catch up with Carol and Ashley and then wave Britannia off to lead the search across land and sea around the British Isles.
However, Carol says, “It’s not just about finding out what they’ve been up to.” “They have the very important job of passing on the baton, and helping to launch our search for Pride of Britain’s class of 2025”.
Anyone can nominate a hero for a Pride of Britain Award, Ashley said.
Co-host Ashley says that the unique aspect of Pride of Britain is that everyone has the opportunity to tell us who they think should win. This is the most powerful form of public support.
“That’s why we’re making such a lot of noise when nominations are being launched,” he said. We want people to tell us about the incredible unsung heroes who live in their communities from every corner of the country.
It was nominations for outstanding members of the public that made sure last year’s community hero winner Agnes Nisbett was recognised for her deeply personal work.
The now-retired midwife dedicated her life to other grieving parents by founding the Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Born Whilst Sleeping program to give them time with their stillborn babies after experiencing the trauma of stillbirth herself in 1973 when her tiny son was wrapped up and taken away from her.
“I didn’t want to let other women go through what I have,” said the pioneering nurse. Tearful actress Kym Marsh, who experienced a stillbirth herself, presented the trophy and thanked Agnes for, “Turning her pain into her purpose”.
The Award winners’ selfless sacrifice can affect many people’s lives, but sometimes a remarkable act of bravery can save a life.
Recognised for Outstanding Bravery last year, Emily Greenwood risked her own life to swim into icy winter seas in Cornwall to save a 10-year-old boy and a man ripped away by strong currents.
Emily modestly stated at the Awards, “I just thought I needed to help. In that circumstance, I believe the majority of people would. We were all lucky. It has a very possibility of ending very differently.
Before the Britannia sets off along the coast, stopping at important ports, guests and the ship’s crew will be invited to nominate heroes like Emily. A special nomination booth will also let the public nominate in cities across the country.
Every mode of transportation, from bikes and trains to scooters and skateboards, will be used by the Pride of Britain team, along with some well-known faces, to search for heroes across the nation.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who founded a charity in honor of her best friend’s mother, Diana Parkes, is one of the 2024 winners who are taking part today.
After Diana’s daughter Joanna was killed by her husband Robert Brown in a horrifying attack within earshot of her young children, not only did she provide a home for her grandchildren, but together with Hetti, from Swindon, they set up the Joanna Simpson Foundation.
Queen Camilla credited Diana’s story as her inspiration for raising awareness about domestic violence, and Hetti warned: “So often people don’t know domestic abuse is happening to those they love.”
The public’s nominations really count and makes all the tireless campaigning work done by people like Michelle Tolley worth it. For assisting victims and kin of the HIV and Hepatitis C blood scandal, Michele from Norfolk, along with Jason Evans and Andy Evans, received a Special Recognition award.
Michelle, who had two transfusions following the birth of her children, described the award as “amazing,” “feeling like we’ve been heard by the people, and that’s amazing.”
Co-host Ashley says: “Teaming up with some of last year’s fabulous winners will also be a brilliant reminder of the courage, kindness, strength and empathy it takes to be a Pride of Britain winner.
I’m really looking forward to seeing them again and starting the search for the 2025 winners.
The stars of the show are always the winners, but famous friends of the Awards will be getting involved too, sharing their own nominations and encouraging everyone else to do the same.
This year will be our biggest search ever, says Carol, “we all feel a huge responsibility to make sure we do everything in our power to find the most extraordinary, inspirational winners.”
She continues, “Watch this space, but the launch is going to be a really exciting day, but it’s only the beginning.”
Prepare to come aboard, people of Britain, because this time the Pride of Britain Awards will be arriving into the heart of your communities and welcoming nominations first hand.
Our new appearance
For 26 years, Pride of Britain has united people. Over that time, core values of Bravery, Kindness, Love, Inspiration, Strength, Community and Empathy have become firmly established as the Awards DNA.
These values are vividly brought to life by a brand-new, stunning new image of Pride of Britain that will be released along with a refreshed and redesigned logo.
The official announcement of nominations for the 2025 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&, O Cruises will coincide with the unveiling of the new brand identity, which was created with the best creative agency BBD Perfect Storm.
Each strand represents a core Pride Of Britain value that brings people together for these extraordinary awards, celebrating the very best in people and what they selflessly do for others.
Pride Of Britain is the highest-rated Awards of its kind on British television, bringing some of the world’s most famous faces together to celebrate truly extraordinary achievements of people of all ages, from children of courage to lifesaving emergency workers, inspirational fundraisers and people who make the world a better place, in local communities and on a national or even global scale.
It’s been a pleasure to reimagine the visual identity of such a beloved and recognizable event, according to Jason Foo, CEO of BBD Perfect Storm. The Pride of Britain Awards are rooted in values that speak to the very best of humanity – bravery, kindness, strength and community. “
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises, hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo will be screened in primetime on ITV1 in the Autumn.
categories of awards
Do you know a remarkable person who makes the world a better place?
It only takes a minute to nominate them for a Pride of Britain Award at prideofbritain.com .
If you’re unsure of the category to choose, our team will review each nomination and select the best candidate.
P&, O CRUISES INSPIRATION WARD
Celebrating a remarkable individual or group who inspires everyone in their path and the world in particular with their inspiring spirit. They may merit praise for their extraordinary response to a pivotal or significant moment, or perhaps their actions have had an extraordinary impact.
ITV FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
For tireless and inspiring charity fundraising, especially for people over 18 years old.
BRITAIN YOUNG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR OF GOOD MORNING
To reward a young person aged 17 and under for inspirational charity work.
THIS LOCAL HERO STARTS THE MORNING
For a person or group that goes above and beyond to help those in their local area.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
to acknowledge significant accomplishments, perhaps on a national or international level.
AWARD FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty.
OUTSTANDING BRAIN
For adults who take personal risks in assisting others in danger.
CHILD/TEENAGER OF COURAGE
For overcoming obstacles to aid others, or for daring to save a vulnerable person.
SPECIAL REGNOUND
For achievements not covered in other categories, such as inspiring carers, campaigners and members of armed forces
Source: Mirror
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