The Guide Liverpool Heroes Awards, a celebration of the Liverpool City Region’s most inspiring people and organisations, is officially returning for a second year. The 2026 ceremony will take place at the Titanic Hotel on Saturday, November 28, with Merseyrail as headline sponsor, supported by San Carlo Restaurants and Liverpool BID Company.
Last year’s inaugural event honoured 55 finalists, with 20 local heroes recognised for their courage, compassion and impact. The celebrations reached more than one million people on social media, according to the organisers.
A Night to Remember Returns
Jay Hynd, director of The Guide Liverpool and founder of the awards, said: “Last year’s inaugural Heroes event was a night we won’t ever forget. Celebrating the very individuals and organisations that make what we do at The Guide worthwhile was a dream come true. That’s why we had to bring it back for 2026.”
He added: “Week in and week out, we feature extraordinary people, businesses, groups, charities and more, who astound us with what they do and achieve for the benefit of others. We’re delighted to have Merseyrail as our headline sponsor this year, they really are a network full of heroes, connecting communities every single day, so it’s a great fit.”
Honouring Last Year’s Winners
Among last year’s winners were the Southport families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, who received a Special Award from former chief constable of Merseyside Serena Kennedy for the charities created in their daughters’ memories. Speedo Mick was honoured for his fundraising achievements and his journey overcoming homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges, raising more than £1m for charities. Mark King OBE, founder of the Oliver King Foundation, was recognised for his work installing life-saving defibrillators in public places following the loss of his son Oliver.
Other winners included Zoe’s Place, Fans Supporting Food Banks, North West Air Ambulance, Nightlife CIC, Tim Edwards and John May, and Weapons Down Gloves Up. Claire House Children’s Hospice was named Charity of the Year, meaning the 2026 event will support its new West Derby hospice.
Nominations Open for 2026
Suzanne Grant, interim managing director at Merseyrail, said: “Merseyrail is proud to be the headline sponsor of The Guide Liverpool Heroes Awards 2026. Across the Liverpool City Region, people make an extraordinary difference every day through acts of kindness, courage and community spirit.”
She continued: “We’re privileged to serve those communities, so we’re delighted to help celebrate the individuals, organisations and volunteers whose dedication makes our region such a special place. We’re looking forward to hearing their stories and recognising the remarkable impact they have on others.”
Nominations are officially open, with categories including Child of Courage, Community Hero, Business Hero, Inspiring Influencer, Sports Hero, Emergency Services, and Fundraising Hero.
Jay added: “We can’t wait for another uplifting evening and to be in the company once again of some of the city’s most outstanding and motivational people.” Members of the public can nominate their hero now at theguideliverpool.com/heroes, with nominations closing on Monday, August 31. The shortlist will be announced in September when public voting opens.
