The Guide Liverpool celebrated 10 years of being a beacon of light in Liverpool’s media world by hosting their inaugural Guide Heroes Awards at The Titanic Hotel on Friday 21st November 2026. The stellar event shone a light on some of the region’s super heroes — with many profound moments throughout the evening.
There were tears, joy and a standing ovation when the city came together to honour the families of Southport victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar. The parents of the youngsters, who lost their lives in the tragedy in August last year, were each given a Special Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes to recognise the courage and resilience they have shown since the attack.
Each of the families have set up charities in memory of their little girls to make lives better for others: Bebe’s Hive offering a grief support service for children; Elsie’s Story providing medical care, community events, and bereavement support for children and families, and Alice’s WonderDance Foundation delivering dance programs, resources, and community events for those who need it most.
The 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 better. 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 in recognition of the incredible work he has done, overcoming homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues to raise more than £1m for charities
- Claire House Children’s Hospice which won Charity of the Year for helping seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full while offering specialist nursing and end of life care, and support for the children and their families
- Mark King OBE, who launched the Oliver King Foundation after the death of his 12-year-old son to see life-saving defibrillators installed in public places
Hundreds of people attended the sparkling awards evening launched to mark 10 years of The Guide Liverpool, but more importantly to celebrate and reward all those whose stories it has shared throughout the decade. The event featured many individuals, fundraisers, organisations and businesses of Liverpool who have made the City Region the outstanding place it is.
Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool, was delighted with the response to the inaugural awards event, and overwhelmed and humbled by all the finalists — not just the winners who received their accolades. While many of the awards were voted for by the public, the special awards were decided for by Jay and The Guide team, who are ‘constantly in awe of the people we feature who make us and our city better’.
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 the 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.”
“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. There were tears – tissues were needed – but there was lot of laughter and cheering too. We are grateful to all our sponsors and to Liverpool Cruise Port and San Carlo Restaurants with whom we brought the event, but mainly to the award winners and finalists to whom we all owe so much.”
The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 winners are:
- 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 OBE – 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
Here at La Vida Liverpool, we’d like to extend our huge congratulation to all the winners and finalists for their outstanding work to make the world a better place. We’d also like to say a big WELL DONE to The Guide Liverpool for all their work during the past 10 years and for putting this amazing showcase on — it was great to attend and here’s to working together to spread positive news throughout the region!
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE GUIDE HEROES AWARDS VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
