Families of the victims of the Southport attack along with Speedo Mick, Claire House and Mark King all honoured in The Guide Liverpool Heroes
There were tears, joy and a standing ovation when the city came together to honour the families of victims of the July 2024 Southport attack, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar.
Parents of the youngsters, who lost their lives in the tragedy, were each given a Special Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes to recognise the courage and resilience they have shown since the attack.
Each family has set up a charity: Bebe’s Hive offering a grief support service for children; Elsie’s Story provides medical care, community events, and bereavement support for children and families, and Alice’s WonderDance Foundation delivering dance programmes, resources, and community events.
A Special Award, presented by former Chief Constable of Merseyside Serena Kennedy, was the climax of an emotional and inspirational evening honouring all those who make our city region a better place.
Others celebrated at the first ever Guide HEROES awards held at the Titanic Hotel included Speedo Mick who was given the Liverpool City Region Superhero Award and Claire House Children’s Hospice which won Charity of the Year.
Hundreds of people attended the awards evening launched to mark 10 years of The Guide Liverpool and to celebrate and reward all those whose stories it has shared throughout the decade.
Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool, was delighted with the response to the inaugural awards event. While many of the awards were voted for by the public, the special awards were decided by Jay and The Guide team.
Jay, who hosted the evening along with The Guide presenter Gemma Cutting, said: “It was through sharing the stories and reading about all the amazing people in Liverpool city region that made us realise it was time to honour them.
“I knew it would be difficult because there are so many, but I truly hadn’t realised just how difficult it would be. (We halted a public vote on our Make A Difference Award when we realised that all of the five finalists deserved, and had, to win).
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“The evening itself was such a moving occasion, and it was an absolute privilege to shine a spotlight on everyone who has made a massive difference to so many people and to Liverpool, and to honour them and celebrate them in one very special night.”
After the awards presentations there was dancing to Liverpool singer and songwriter Rebecca Ferguson, who performed live, and DJ Jack Hellier. The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 winners:
- The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 Special Award: The families of Southport victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar
- Liverpool City Region Superhero: Speedo Mick
- Child of Courage – sponsored by Gaskells Waste: Jessica Dowle – Jessica’s Stoma Journey; Henry Brammer – who has raised £30,000 for Alder Hey while being a patient; Zachary Kewley – who saved the life of a three-year-old girl on holiday in Mexico; Maximus ‘Mighty Max’ Johnson – a posthumous award to honour his brave cancer battle.
- The Inspiration Award – sponsored by Liverpool Cruise Port: Mark King – Oliver King Foundation
- Unsung Hero – sponsored by Wild Thang: John Hughes – Liverpool Nightlife CIC
- Business Hero – sponsored by Morecrofts Solicitors: Anthony Grice – FIKA
- Business of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company: Mowgli
- Charity of the Year: Claire House Children’s Hospice
- Community Project – sponsored by Sedulo: A Celebration for Zoe’s Place Concert
- Community Hero – sponsored by Greatest Hits Radio: Fans Supporting Food Banks Sustainability – sponsored by Liverpool ONE: Zero Waste Liverpool
- Emergency Services: North West Air Ambulance
- Fundraising Hero: Olly Harrison
- Inspiring Influencer – sponsored by San Carlo: Tyler Daclaire
- Sports Hero – sponsored by BOXPARK Liverpool: Weapons Down Gloves Up
- The Make A Difference Award – sponsored by Radisson RED: Tim Edwards & John May; Joanne Colleran; Kieran Shingler; Cheryl Korbel; Alfie Fitzsimmons