The 2026 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards have revealed their full list of winners, celebrating extraordinary achievements from a volunteer security guard who tackled a knife-wielding terrorist to a 12-year-old boy who prevented a high-speed crash.
Outstanding Bravery: Andrew Franks
Andrew Franks, a 53-year-old volunteer security guard, confronted terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester during an attack on Yom Kippur in October last year. Two men were killed and others injured when the attacker ploughed a car into people outside, then tried to enter with a knife. Unarmed, Andrew faced the attacker, was stabbed several times in the face and neck, but managed to push him over and warn worshippers to shut the doors. His intervention delayed the attacker long enough for hundreds inside to barricade themselves. Police arrived within minutes, and Al-Shamie was shot dead. Andrew sustained serious injuries to his head, neck, spine and face; his 80-year-old father Ellis held his wounds until paramedics arrived. Andrew died three times on the operating table during life-saving surgery.
The judges said: “Andrew ran into danger and risked his own life to protect others. It’s raw courage, and humanity, in its purest form, and he is so deserving of this award.”
Lifetime Achievement: Asif Hasan
Retired heart transplant surgeon Asif Hasan has been honoured for transforming paediatric heart surgery and transplantation in the UK. He retired after 30 years as head of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, having performed around 400 transplants. He co-led Newcastle’s ‘bridge to transplant’ programme, which uses the Berlin Heart mechanical pump to keep children alive while awaiting donors. He also pioneered the ‘bootlace closure’ technique, allowing children to receive donor hearts ordinarily too large for them. He built a reputation for never saying no to surgery, taking on the sickest children rejected by other cardiac centres. Former Pride of Britain Children of Courage Max Johnson and Cecilia Adamou are among those alive today thanks to his work.
The judges said: “It’s impossible to overstate the life-changing impact he has had for so many people over his extraordinary career. The epitome of an unsung hero.”
King’s Trust Young Achiever: Brandon Hulcoop
Brandon Hulcoop, 23, from Plymouth, has been blind since birth. After 16 months unemployed and more than 1,000 job applications without success, he launched All Things Dotty, making accessible products for visually impaired people, including braille menus, greetings cards, board games and colouring books. He also set up the UK Sight Loss Collective, provides free braille tuition for people on a low income, mentors young people into work, and is an ambassador for sight loss charity Devon in Sight.
The judges said: “Brandon’s drive and positivity shine through the moment you meet him, along with his determination to do everything he can to help other people thrive.”
Special Recognition: Dr Eleanor Prior
Dr Eleanor Prior, known as Eli, was in the front carriage of a train that ploughed into a stationary train near Bedford in June, killing the driver and injuring 162. Thrown eight metres down the aisle, she called emergency services despite significant injuries, including a suspected broken arm and a blow to the head. She assessed and treated casualties, using her mouth to tighten belts as tourniquets when she couldn't use her hand. She worked alongside emergency services to triage patients, then refused an ambulance so someone else could take it, walking across a field on a suspected broken foot. She has since had operations for her broken right hand and treatment for her foot, knee and back, and still has no grip in her fingers.
The judges said: “What she faced on that train defies belief, as does the way she ignored her own injuries and set about helping others. There are people alive today because of her courage, and she deserves every accolade.”
P&O Cruises Inspiration: Elaine Oakey
Elaine Oakey has spent more than a decade transforming the lives of young amputees through football. Inspired by her son Jamie, born without a foot and missing the lower part of his right leg, she lobbied the England Amputee Football Association to develop a junior team. She is now Head of EAFA Juniors and Head of Safeguarding, coaching and mentoring children who believed they would never play again. Elaine, who also works as a cleaner and in a local pub, cooks a roast dinner every Sunday for around 30 vulnerable or isolated people in her community.
The judges said: “Elaine’s achievement is not measured in goals, or matches won (although there have been plenty of those). It’s in the lives she has changed and the hope and happiness she gives to young amputees.”
Special Recognition: Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler
After Andrew Roberts took his own life at 23 in 2016, his mum Elaine and brother-in-law Luke Ambler set up Andy’s Man Club, a male suicide prevention charity. Starting with nine men in Halifax, it has expanded to more than 360 community groups across England, Scotland and Wales, with roughly 7,000 men attending free, confidential walk-in peer support every Monday night. Luke also started the viral #ItsOkayToTalk campaign, which reached more than 100 million people worldwide.
The judges said: “Andy’s Man Club is an inspirational, uplifting and powerful force for good in the world. Elaine and Luke have created something truly special, and a wonderful legacy for Andrew.”
Special Recognition: Ellen Roome, Esther Ghey and Ian Russell
Three parents who lost teenage children to different forms of online harm have been recognised for turning grief into historic legal change. Ian Russell’s 14-year-old daughter Molly died in November 2017; his lobbying via the Molly Rose Foundation helped pass the Online Safety Act. Ellen Roome’s son Jools Sweeney was 14 when he died in April 2022; she campaigns for ‘Jools’ Law’ to freeze children's digital footprints after a tragedy. Esther Ghey’s daughter Brianna was murdered in February 2023; her Brianna Ghey Legacy Project pioneers smartphone restrictions in schools. Ellen says: “I’m just a mum who stood up and said ‘This is wrong’. I never wanted another parent to be in my position and be begging for answers.” Esther says: “I really do think that we should ban social media for under 16s and have a smartphone-free childhood.” Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, said their courage has been instrumental in bringing online safety issues to the forefront.
The judges said: “What unites them is not just their loss, but their determination to save other families suffering similar tragedies. And they’ve taken on the world’s most powerful companies to do it.”
This Morning Local Hero: Florence Coke
Florence Coke, known as Mama Flo, is a 71-year-old grandmother who runs Mama Flo’s Caribbean takeaway in Stockport. She has fed pensioners for free over Christmas, offered free lunches to children during the summer holidays, and provided free meals during the pandemic. Her restaurant has been visited by actor Will Mellor, footballers Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire, and music legend Billy Ocean. Flo says: “I grew up with this mentality of doing what I saw my parents do, so I’ve been doing this for years.”
The judges said: “Every community needs someone like Florence. She is driven by kindness and powered by love, and always puts others first. A true local hero.”
Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser: Gregor Corse
Gregor, a four-year-old from Orkney with a neurological condition affecting his balance and motor skills, raised more than £73,000 by walking “30 loops o’ the hoose” every day for 30 days in February. He then walked 1.2 miles to nursery four days a week throughout August, raising a further £7,000 for Clan Cancer Support and Soma’s Light. His initial target was £500 for Inclusive Orkney.
The judges said: “His determination to complete his challenge, and help other people, is remarkable in someone so young. He’s a little warrior, and he won’t let anything stop him.”
Child of Courage: Kirsty Waugh
Kirsty, 12, from Tunbridge Wells, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2024. Despite impaired vision, she learned to crochet by touch, creating bunting for each chemo session and raising more than £120,000 for Children With Cancer UK. When her treatment stopped working, she launched ‘My Name Is Kirsty’, a global campaign connecting with more than 14,000 namesakes in over 50 countries, raising more than £125,000 for OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity.
The judges said: “Kirsty’s achievements are awe-inspiring. She has not only raised a huge amount of money, but raised awareness of childhood brain tumours on a global scale. Truly remarkable.”
Child of Courage: Zac Howells
Zac, 12, from Ebbw Vale, steered his mum’s car to safety after she collapsed at the wheel on the A40 in Herefordshire. Travelling at 60mph, his mum Nicola passed out, and the car veered back onto the dual carriageway. Zac grabbed the wheel, steered into the central reservation to stop, turned off the engine and called 999. He used the sat nav to pinpoint their location. In the 999 call, he said: “Her foot went down on the pedal and it started accelerating, so I had to crash into the barrier. I’m really scared.” Nicola was found to be suffering from extremely low blood pressure and is awaiting cardiology tests.
The judges said: “Zac was astonishingly brave in an absolutely terrifying situation. His courage and quick thinking prevented what could have been a devastating accident.”
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises will be broadcast from the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on ITV1 and ITVX from 8pm on Thursday, October 22.
