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Queenscourt founder Dr Karen Groves MBE, Marathon hero Sergio Aguiar and others honoured at Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards 2026

INSPIRATIONAL Community heroes from across Sefton were honoured in style at the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.

The glittering event celebrated selfless, talented and courageous people across 13 categories at The Grand in Southport, on:- Friday, 24 April 2026. The evening was hosted by former Sky Sports News presenter Fraser Dainton with VIP guests including:- HM Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Burns, on 1 of her final engagements to crown her 3 busy years as Mayor.

Funds were raised on the night for the ICU Steps charity, which supports patients in intensive care and their families.

The Main Grand Of Pride Sefton Awards Winner was Karen Groves MBE, who founded Queenscourt Hospice 35 years ago this year. The hospice has provided compassionate care for tens of thousands of families across Southport, West Lancashire and Formby since it was opened by Princess Diana in 1991. She has been at the forefront this year of Queenscourt's biggest ever challenge, maintaining its vital services during a time of severe financial challenges.

Honoured as the Finalist in the Main Award was Marie Buchanan, with a volunteer saying 'Marie IS Southport Soup Kitchen!' For over 20 years, Marie has dedicated herself to helping thousands of vulnerable individuals and families, supporting them to access hot food and basic provisions.

Other winners included Sefton Charity Champion Sergio Aguiar, who has completed 5 out of 6 World Marathon Majors; in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Boston, while wife Alexandra was honoured as a Finalist. The couple were unable to attend the awards as they got ready for Sergio to run his sixth, the London Marathon. Sergio has been running to reach out to people from around the world to support the Alice's WonderDance Foundation that he and Alexandra founded in memory of their beloved daughter, Alice, who tragically died in the Southport tragedy. His award was collected on his behalf by Filipe Barata and Caridad Rivas.

Sefton Child Of Courage Award winners included Harrison Dale, a 14 year old Southport boy who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was the driving force behind a 24 hour community sponsored swim in Southport, raising over £27,000 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Penelope Vidal Walsh battled meningitis and other infections during a 7 month period in Alder Hey, undergoing a triple amputation of both her legs and right arm as well as countless skin grafts.
She is learning to write again with her left hand, and has returned to School, showing incredible resilience and determination.

Holly Barnes, aged 5, has Stage 4 Advanced Neuroblastoma which she's battled for 2 years, undergoing cancer treatment a long way from home. Holly is very inventive and from her hospital room she opened a tattoo shop offering free tattoos to all the hospital staff and some visitors.

Llewyn Sunderland is an incredible 10 year old who ran the Southport 10K alongside his mum and dad. Llewyn is deaf and was recently diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, which causes hearing loss and progressive vision loss. He ran the Southport 10K for Elsie's Story, raising over £1,000.

Car park attendant Liam Howard won the Sefton Courage Award and was hailed as:- "an absolute hero" after he saved a much loved grandfather's life while on duty at the NCP car park in Southport Town Centre.

The Sefton Business in the Community Award sponsored by In Demand Radio was won by:- My Mind Matters CIC which runs The Bakehouse in Southport, opening doors to people who are rebuilding confidence, navigating mental health or neurodiversity, and people who need structure, purpose, or a gentle re entry into community life.

Sefton Sportsperson of The Year sponsored by Solarcrown went to Jenny Taylor. In 2014, Jenny founded her netball club alongside friend Michelle with just:- 4 or 5 young girls attending each week; there are now over 180 members and 16 teams competing, from children aged 4 to women in their 50s.

The Sefton Community Impact Award sponsored by Carlsberg was won by:- Liz Hartley. As Fundraising Manager for Queenscourt Hospice, Liz is the lead organiser for major events such as:- Star Trekk and Southport Santa Sprint and has created exciting new events such as:- the Strictly dance event, a sell out success each year.

The Sefton Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Fletchers went to:- Andrea McGee, a palliative night sitter, who works 4 nights a week bringing love and care to people, while still supporting her 3 beloved grandchildren at home.

The Sefton Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by LWC was won by Kenny O'Brien. Last month, Kenny retired after 32 years at Litherland Youth and Community Centre, where he has supported thousands of young people and generations of families who still to this day, talk about the positive impact he's had on their lives.

The Sefton Arts Award was won by:- The Southport Hookers, who earned worldwide fame after they worked with the Royal British Legion to create a stunning life sized Supermarine Spitfire; made from crochet; that was installed in the Southport Town Hall Gardens.

Diane and Byron Chapman, who founded the Southport Off-Key Choir, won the Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award sponsored by Sefton Council. Southport Off-Key Choir is formed of people with learning disabilities who are always warmly encouraged to join in, as well as those who are terminally ill, and adults who struggle with socialisation or mobility.

Linaker Primary School in Southport won the Sefton School of the Year, after showing what it truly means to be the heart of a community.

Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards organisers Andrew Mikhail (Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group) and Andrew Brown (Stand Up For Southport) said:- "What an uplifting, emotional evening! We were once again blown away by the inspirational people who were honoured as winners and finalists in the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards. We received hundreds upon hundreds of nominations this year; the people honoured are truly exceptional. Thank you to everyone who's sent in nominations. Congratulations to all our local heroes who give all they can to make Sefton such a special place for everyone. We'd like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors and to our media partners In Demand Radio, who have made these awards possible."

Sefton Grand Pride Of Sefton 2026 Winners and Finalists:-

Sefton Young Sportsperson of the Year, sponsored by Merseyrail
Noah Cunningham (Winner)
Caiden Thistleton (Winner)
Hendro Hattingh (Winner)
Erin Bannon (Winner)

Sefton Child of Courage, sponsored by Cooper Parry Accountants
Harrison Dale (winner)
Penelope Vidal-Walsh (winner)
Holly Barnes (winner)
Llewyn Sunderland (winner)

Sefton Arts Award, sponsored by Fitton Estates
The Southport Hookers (winner)
Emmy Porter (finalist)
Nicola Robson (finalist)

Sefton Charity Champion Award, sponsored by Halliwell Jones
Sergio Aguiar (winner)
Alexandra Aguiar (finalist)
David Massam (finalist)
Gareth Johnson (finalist)

Sefton Business in the Community Award, sponsored by In Demand Radio
My Mind Matters CIC (winner)
Neil Walsh and Tom Hodkin (finalists)
Dowhigh (finalist)

Sefton School of The Year, sponsored by Southport Education Group
Linaker Primary School (winner)
The Pines at Redgate Primary School (finalist)
Maghull High School (finalist)

Sefton Sportsperson of The Year Award, sponsored by Solarcrown
Jenny Taylor (winner)
Becca Donnelly (finalist)
Malcolm Teale (finalist)

Sefton Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Sefton Council
Diane and Byron Chapman (winner)
Danielle Alzahabi (finalist)
Christopher Duckworth (finalist)

Sefton Community Impact Award, sponsored by Carlsberg
Liz Hartley (winner)
Crosby Wombles (finalist)
Margy Allen (finalist)

Sefton Courage Award, sponsored by the EFT Group
Liam Howard (winner)
Southport Lifeboat (finalist)

Sefton Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by Fletchers
Andrea McGee (winner)
Barbara Hodgson (finalist)
Nick Weatherby (finalist)

Sefton Lifetime Achievement / Special Recognition Award, sponsored by LWC
Kenny O'Brien (winner)
Adrian Antell (finalist)
Steve Weekes and Gavin Hynes (finalists)

The Grand Pride of Sefton Award, sponsored by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group
Dr Karen Groves MBE (winner)
Marie Buchanan (finalist)

The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with media partners In Demand Radio with support from:- Southport BID.

There are 13 categories including:- Child of Courage, School Of The Year, Community Impact, Charity Champion and more, plus the Main Award.