Pride of Britain Award Winners
2009
Child of Courage - Jake Peach
He spent a month in a coma and had to learn to walk again while battling cancer. But valiant 12-year-old Jake Peach remains determined to turn his ordeal into a way of helping other young cancer patients.
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Child of Courage - Levana Hanson
Despite losing her legs to meningitis as a baby, Levana Hanson, now eight, refuses to let her disability hold her back. She has endured more than 40 operations, has learned to walk on prosthetic legs and has even used her karate skills to fundraise for others affected by meningitis.
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Children Of Courage - Toni & Kelsey Deacon
It was the horrifying moment that changed the Deacons’ lives forever. When baby Toni fell into a bath of scalding water, her courageous sister Kelsey didn’t hesitate before leaping in to save her. Both girls have since shown extraordinary bravery in overcoming their injuries.
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Outstanding Bravery - Martin Langlands
When he saw a family car smash into a motorway central reservation, Martin Langlands risked his life to bring the terrified parents and their children to safety. The Royal Navy Petty Officer was driving home at 10pm with wife Claire, 24, when a car overtaking him on the M5 suffered a blow out.
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Outstanding Bravery - Michael Seery
He had been looking forward to an afternoon of playing cards, but instead partially-sighted pensioner Michael Seery ended up being stabbed after tackling a knife-wielding robber.
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Outstanding Bravery - Sally-Ann Sutton
As an out-of-control Rottweiler headed for a baby, petite Sally-Ann Sutton threw herself into the vicious dog’s path, sustaining terrible injuries in the process.
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Special Recognition - UK Field Hospital, Afghanistan
Camp Bastion Hospital, which lies at the centre of the British military base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is a world leader in trauma care. It is a hive of activity night and day, on call to expect the most shocking casualties at any time.
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Special Recognition - Doris Long
She may be 95, but Doris Long isn’t prepared for life to slow down just yet. ‘Daring Doris’ has become known for her incredible fundraising stunts and has broken two Guinness World Records to become the world’s oldest abseiler.
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Special Recognition - Jasvinder Sanghera
When Jasvinder Sanghera was just 14, her mother showed her a picture of the man the young teenager would marry. When Jasvinder was 16, she ran away to escape the marriage.
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Special Recognition - Kristin Hallenga
To be diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 23 would be enough for most people to cope with. But feisty Kristin Hallenga has refused to let the disease break her spirit. While enduring painful treatment, she has focused all her energy on saving other young people.
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The Co-operative Local Champion - Eunice McGhie-Belgrave
She is known as the ‘First Lady’ of allotments, and has inspired countless children to grow and cook their own vegetables. For more than 20 years, Eunice McGhie-Belgrave has been working tirelessly to make sure young people take a pride in their community.
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Fundraiser Of The Year - Major Phil Packer
His life changed in an instant when a rocket attack left him paralysed from the waist down. Yet, through sheer determination, Major Phil Packer has raised more than £1m in aid of injured comrades.
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GMTV Emergency Services - Rachel Farmer
Newly-qualified PC Rachel Farmer risked her life when she wrestled with a drug-crazed man to stop him from setting fire to his ex-partner.
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Most inspiring Public Figure - Joanna Lumley
She captured the hearts of the nation playing feisty Purdey in The New Avengers and eccentric Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous. However, it is Joanna Lumley’s part in fighting for Gurkhas’ rights that has cemented her place as a national treasure – and it is the role of which she’s most proud.
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Teacher Of The Year - Jonathan Heeley
When Jonathan Heeley was promoted to head of maths soon after starting at Rawthorpe High School, he knew he had a big challenge on his hands. His classes of 11 to 16-year-olds were rowdy, badly behaved and seemed to have no interest in learning. But Jonathan refused to give up on them.
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Prince's Trust Young Achiever - Chris Saunders
To countless young people whose shattered lives he’s helped rebuild, drugs worker Chris Saunders is a beacon of hope. Considering the long road he has travelled himself, his success is even more remarkable.
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ITV Feelgood Factor Award Finalists - Andy Dalby-Welsh
After a genetic condition caused Andy to go partially blind 10 years ago, he decided to put the traumatic experience to good use. As a sports coach for visually impaired youngsters, he devotes his time to teaching cricket, football, trampolining and other sports which are often not available to the disabled.
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Lifetime Achievement - Sir Peter Mansfield
Considered one of the world’s greatest living scientists, Sir Peter Mansfield has saved millions of lives with his revolutionary invention and is one of Britain’s few Nobel Prize winners.
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