For Sarah Brown, wife of Prime Minister Gordon, there was just one word
that could sum up the story. "Extraordinary!"
The word, echoed by many of her fellow judges, was used to describe
13-year-old cancer patient Liam Fairhurst for raising thousands of pounds
in memory of the best friend he lost to the same disease.
"He has had so many setbacks, but has achieved so much. He is just
remarkable," said Sarah.
And for former England and Premiership footballer Jamie Redknapp, there
was one man he was adamant should receive a Special Recognition Award –
Manchester United ‘Busby Babe’ and Munich air disaster hero Harry Gregg.
"He did an incredible thing, and is such a humble man. He really deserves
this award,"
said Jamie.
He and Sarah were among 12 distinguished judges who took on the tough
task of choosing this year’s Pride Of Britain winners.
London’s Dorchester Hotel was the scene for a lively debate over who were
the most deserving winners from a shortlist of very special people.
Most of this year’s finalists were chosen by a team of six researchers,
who spent three months reading a record 25,000 tales of heroism, courage
and selflessness. Many were nominated by Daily Mirror readers and
Co-operative shoppers, while others were found in national and local
newspapers.
Mirror readers and GMTV viewers voted online for the GMTV Emergency
Services Award winner, while the ITV Teacher Of The Year was chosen by
phone vote from a shortlist picked by a special committee.
The Prince’s Trust Award winner was selected by the Trust’s own panel,
chaired by Chief Executive Martina Milburn.
Veteran judge and X Factor supremo Simon Cowell reflected on the
difficult decisions the panel faced, saying, "This year has been really
tough. There have been a lot of arguments, but all in the right spirit.
There were just so many great stories to choose from. Each winner
thoroughly deserves it."
Dame Kelly Holmes, who took part on the panel for the second time, is
looking forward to the ceremony.
"I always find it very humbling to be there on the night," she said. "The
event itself is so emotional. Even looking at
the nominees you can tell it’s going to be one of those tissue nights
this year."
Chief Constable Julie Spence, one of the country’s most senior
policewomen, was struck by many of the stories she heard.
She said, "It is people like this who are going about their daily
business who then go the extra step beyond, really adding to the
community and enriching lives, who really inspire me."
Daily Mirror columnist Sue Carroll, who joined the panel for the first
time, said, "Every year, the Awards are a real sight to behold. Just when
you think you have witnessed everything the human spirit can endure,
something comes along to
top that."
And actor Bill Nighy added, "The prospect of having to choose between
them all was daunting, but I hope we did a reasonable job. If it was up
to me, they’d all get an award."
The Judges 2008
Sarah Brown
Wife of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarah formerly worked in PR and
is involved in many charities for women, children and families.
Dame Kelly Holmes
The double Olympic gold medallist was made a
Dame in 2005, and she is now the Government-backed National School Sport
Champion.
Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub
The eminent heart surgeon received the Pride Of Britain 2007 Lifetime
Achievement Award for his outstanding pioneering medical and charity
work.
Julie Spence
The Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police and President of the British
Association Of Women In Policing is one of the UK’s top female officers.
Simon Cowell
Music business mogul Simon is patron of the charity Against Breast Cancer
and supports the RSPCA.
Peter Marks
Having joined the Co-operative as a teenager on the shop floor, Peter is
now the Chief Executive of the largest consumer co-operative in the
world.
Pam Redican
Pam was named 2007’s Pride Of Britain Teacher Of The Year after she
opened a school for children who suffered behaviour problems.
Bill Nighy
The Bafta Award–winning actor has worked with the Make Poverty History
campaign and for Oxfam, speaking on poverty issues at the 2008 G8 summit.
Jamie Redknapp
The former Liverpool and Spurs footballer, capped 17 times by England, is
now a TV pundit and a supporter of the Burned Children’s Club.
Tim Miller
Tim returns for a fourth year as Executive Producer of The Pride Of
Britain television show on ITV1, which attracts an audience of millions.
Sue Carroll
The journalist and broadcaster has written a weekly
column in the Daily Mirror
for 10 years, having spent more than three decades as a journalist.
Peter Willis
The Associate Editor of the Daily Mirror is also the founder of The Pride
Of Britain Awards and chairs the judging panel each year.