10 Liverpool stories that inspired us in 2023

Everyone knows it’s the people who make Liverpool such a special place and this year The Guide has highlighted some of the best, doing great things and representing our city brilliantly.

There are way too many to mention them all, but here are 10 Liverpool stories that inspired us in 2023 …

Cheryl Korbel campaigns for a change in the law

Olivia Korbel-Pratt’s mum Cheryl and her aunt Antonia successfully fought for a campaign to ensure that criminals must attend hearings. Olivia’s killer Thomas Cashman refused to attend court for his sentencing in April this year. The new rules, give judges the power to order criminals to attend hearings, and custody officers will be able to use “reasonable force” to make offenders appear in the dock or via video link.

Speedo Mick raises a fantastic £1million

No 2023 local hero list would be complete without Speedo Mick who hit his dream total £1million fundraising target on his last charity trek. Mick stomped 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End this year, starting off in freezing temperatures, raising money for his Speedo Mick Foundation which is supporting smaller charities through the cost of living crisis. After seven years of challenges, this was Mick’s toughest – including climbing Ben Nevis in -18degrees in just his famous Everton blue Speedos! Read our latest chat with Speedo here.

Campaigning mum Marie McCourt is made an MBE

Marie McCourt, who campaigned to bring in Helen’s Law after the murder of her daughter Helen back in 1988, was honoured at Buckingham Palace. Marie fought tirelessly to make it harder for killers and paedophiles who hold back information about their victims to be given parole. She was presented with an MBE for services to the families of murdered victims by the King in November. “To be recognised for all we’ve done to get the law changed makes me very proud,” Marie said. 

Natasha Jonas becomes two-weight world champion – then makes history

Boxer Natasha Jonas added yet another belt to her amazing haul, winning the vacant IBF welterweight title in the summer to become a two-weight world champion. Already the reigning WBC, WBO and IBF light-middleweight champion, she’ll defend her newest title on home ground at the Arena in January 2024. After a string of personal victories, Tash also made history in October by becoming the first Black female boxing manager, in the corner for fellow Scouser Mikie Tallon.

Fika helps feed children in the school holidays

Fika café in Childwall has always been a big supporter of the local community and in summer owner Anthony Grice brought back free meals for kids during the school holidays. After launching the idea in 2021, post-pandemic, the cost of living crisis meant it was needed again. Fika offered a free breakfast to any child under 16 who might otherwise go without a meal due to schools being closed. This Christmas, he also launched Operation Christmas Liverpool, collecting gifts for struggling families.

John May and Tim Edwards complete an epic anti-crime journey

Comedian and actor John May and Tim Edwards, dad of Elle Edwards who was murdered outside a pub in Wallasey on Christmas Eve 2022, went on a mammoth walk to raise awareness of gun and knife crime.  John originally set off on his own in January and Tim teamed up with him for the final almost 1,000 miles. As well as highlighting the Weapons Down Gloves Up campaign, they raised more than £6,000 for The Elle Edwards Foundation set up by Tim in memory of his daughter.

Dad-of-three Eddie Tunstall’s six solo aid missions to Ukraine

Rail manager Eddie Tunstall decided to take matters into his own hands to help out families devastated by the war in Ukraine. Dad-of-three Eddie, who lives in Rainford, was so shocked by the suffering he saw on the TV news that he hired a van, loaded it up with food, water, clothes and toiletries, put Lviv in Google maps, and drove over there six times to hand out supplies to people in need.

Bobby’s Base opens in memory of Bobby Colleran

Almost nine years after her son was killed in a road accident as he walked home from school in West Derby, Bobby Colleran’s mum Joanne saw the culmination of years of fundraising with the opening of Bobby’s Base. Launched on his 15^th birthday in March in the grounds of Bobby’s school, Blackmoor Park Infants, the centre gives bereavement counselling and mental health support to children.

Tony Bellew absolutely smashes it in the I’m A Celebrity jungle

Boxer Tony Bellew is already a legend in the ring, but he won over millions of new fans when he smashed his stint on I’m A Celebrity. Diehard Blue Tony didn’t only last until the final two, eventually coming runner-up to TOWIE’s Sam Thompson, Bomber showed himself to be a lovely guy and a massive cheerleader for all the other campmates especially when things were getting tough. Like the rest of the jungle viewers, we loved Teddy T!

And the entire team behind Eurovision …

Claire McColgan and her Culture Liverpool team delivered an amazing Eurovision in May and made us the envy of every other host city, but it wasn’t just down to those few weeks and a few people. So a massive well done to everyone who played their part, always believing we could do something incredible and then making sure we did!

Who or what has inspired you in Liverpool during 2023? Email us to let us know and we could feature them on The Guide.

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