BY KYM MARSH
Host, Pride of Manchester Awards
Pride of Britain is coming to Manchester - and I could not be more excited.
I have presented awards to Pride of Britain winners in London, I have sat on the judging panel, and for the last two years I have hosted Pride of Britain’s regional events around the country.
But I think taking to the stage for the inaugural Pride of Manchester Awards in May will be my proudest moment yet.
It will be an amazing night when the whole city comes together to celebrate our amazing unsung heroes.
The audience will be packed with famous actors, singers, TV presenters, and sporting heroes.
But the real stars of the show will be the winners, those heroes, young and old, who are selflessly transforming the lives of others.
I know from Pride of Britain what a privilege it will be to meet them, and to celebrate their astonishing achievements. Our winners are always so different, but they all share one quality - they are hugely modest about what they have done.
And that is why we need you to tell us about them in the first place.
The Pride of Manchester Awards, in partnership with TSB, celebrate amazing unsung heroes from our city and the surrounding area.
So please tell us who you think they should be.
Perhaps you know someone who is quietly transforming their community to improve the lives of those around them, or someone who has put themselves in danger to save someone else, or an inspirational campaigner.
They could be six or 106 - heroism has no age barrier. And they could have changed one life or changed the world.
We are looking for amazing fundraisers, children and young people who have overcome adversity to help others, and people who have displayed heart-stopping courage in a split second, perhaps risking their own safety to save a stranger.
And of course, we honour the amazing men and women of our emergency services who go beyond the call of duty to keep us all safe.
All the categories, and how you can nominate, are on the next page.
Our team looks at every nomination we receive, before compiling a shortlist for the Pride of Manchester judging panel who choose the winners.
As well as being honoured at the glittering awards dinner at the Principal Hotel, all our regional winners go forward to the judging process for the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB.
Since the first Pride of Britain in 1999, royalty, prime ministers, and hundreds of leading figures from showbusiness, sport, politics and the arts have all taken part.
The show is broadcast every year in a primetime slot on ITV, and it has served up dozens of truly unforgettable moments.
And over the years, amazing winners from Manchester have touched the hearts of the nation.
One of the most moving Pride of Britain moments came in 2017 when Prince William and Ed Sheeran joined young survivors of the Manchester Arena bomb as they were reunited on stage with the medics who had saved their lives, and those of so many others.
And just last year, little Ella Chadwick stole the show with her cheeky chat as she received her Child of Courage Award from the X Factor judges.
Ella has raised thousands of pounds to say thank you to the doctors and nurses who had looked after her at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
She also spent her summer holidays making 250 brightly coloured get well cards with the hand-written message, 'Hope I Made You Smile. Love Ella,' to hand out to all of the patients at the hospital.
I’ll also never forget Karen Johnson, from Rochdale, who raised millions of pounds for research into the genetic condition that killed her two sons before they reached their teens.
The way she devoted her life to helping others, even in the midst of her own grief, is truly inspirational, and I was thrilled to see her receive her Pride of Britain Award in 2016.
Right now, all across Manchester, there are similarly incredible people quietly going about their business of helping others and transforming people’s lives.
They aren’t going to shout about what they do, so you’ll have to do it for them.
If you know someone who deserves to join me on that stage in March, tell us about them, and nominate today.
However old or young they are, wherever they live, we would love to thank those exceptional people for making Manchester a better place.
I can’t wait to meet them.
NOMINATE NOW
You can nominate anyone of any age for a Pride of Birmingham Award. It may be for a single act of incredible courage, a long-lasting battle against the odds, or for inspirational campaigning.
Please choose what you feel to be the most suitable category from the list below. Don’t worry if you’re not sure - some nominees may fit in more than one category, so the Pride of Birmingham team will make sure all nominations are considered for the most appropriate award.
Winners will be chosen by the Pride of Birmingham judging panel, from a shortlist produced by our research team, who will consider every public nomination received.
TSB Community Partner Award
For an individual or group of people who have worked together in partnership as a force for good in their local community, improving the lives of people around them. This could be anything from supporting young people to thrive to bringing communities together to create something special. The winner or winners will have galvanised the support of the people around them to make a difference.
Fundraiser of the Year
For tireless and inspirational charity fundraising, aged 16 and over.
Young Fundraiser of the Year
To reward a young person aged 15 and under for inspirational charity work.
Emergency Services Award
For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty.
Outstanding Bravery
For adults who risk their own safety to to help others in danger.
Child or Teenager of Courage
For battling against the odds to help others, or putting themselves at risk to save someone in danger.
Lifetime Achievement
To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale.
Special Recognition
For achievements not covered in other categories, such as inspiring carers, campaigners and members of armed forces
Set up a charity supporting farmers with their mental health after her husband Dan took his own life
Firefighters and a specialist rescue team carried out a nerve-racking operation against the clock to save a driver impaled on a metal railing
After the deaths of three friends, the former gang member turned his life around to help and inspire others
