Festivals

John May & Tim Edwards were one of five winners of the Make A Difference Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 🌟

They took on an epic walking challenge to raise awareness for anti gun & knife crime after the death of Tim’s daughter Elle Edwards. 💛

Their incredible documentary Two Of Us has had amazing reviews and continues to support men’s mental health too.

Congrats Tim & John 👏

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Mark King, who began a life-saving defibrillator campaign after the death of his son Oliver, has been named as the winner of the Inspiration Award in our first The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025.

King David pupil Oliver was just 12 when he died while taking part in a school swimming race from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, a hidden heart condition which kills 270 children every year.

The tragic loss in 2011 of the lad nicknamed ‘Mr Special’ by his family prompted dad Mark to set up The Oliver King Foundation.

The foundation has since given out 7,000 defibrillators, and saved more than 80 lives.

Mark’s tireless campaigning also led to the Government ensuring every state school in England has access to one of the life-saving machines.

Mark’s determination to create a lasting legacy for Oliver, one that genuinely saves lives, means he was a very worthy winner of the Inspiration Award.

He received the trophy at Titanic Hotel from The Guide and host of the awards, Jay Hynd & Gemma Cutting, who described him as “a true hero of this city.”

“I first met Mark in 2012-13 and you could see then that he was going to change things, and he was going to help the country realise that this didn’t need to happen,” says Jay.

“The first thing he did was launch a mission to get defibs in all schools. He did that and that’s saving lives every day. But what he’s done since, to continue it, is unbelievable. He’s raised awareness of this simple machine that can save a life; something that before his campaign you would only link to hospitals and the emergency services. Now we can have access to them and they can make all the difference.

“Throughout it all, Mark has not forgotten about Oliver. He has done it in his son’s memory. He talks about Oliver and shares his story whenever he speaks about the foundation and you can see that’s what drives him and keeps him going.

“Mark’s campaign has saved lives, 89 so far, and that’s incredible, and he’s about to launch his first centre in Liverpool which is the start of something else.

“There’s no-one else who could have won the Inspiration Award this year.”

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We absolutely LOVED our headliner at last night’s Guide Liverpool Heroes. 😍

Liverpool’s own music hero, Rebecca Ferguson took to the stage to continue the celebrations for our heroes and to deliver an amazing set at Titanic Hotel.

She’s back in the city on Saturday 6 December, playing her Christmas show at the Philharmonic Hall.

Rach spoke to her about the event and about what it’s that makes this city so special ❤️

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Last night the families of Alice, Elise & Bebe were honours at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 💫

The families who lost their little girls in the Southport attacks in July last year were united by a shared tragedy.

Yet out of their despair, they found the strength and courage to create charities and organisations to help other children.

Each offers something different and unique for youngsters in the region, and each of them honours the memory of those in whose name they were created: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar.

Their parents were given a Special Award at The Guide Liverpool’s Heroes 2025 to recognise the resilience they have shown since the horrendous events of last year, and their determination to make lives better for others.

In her speech on stage Former Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who presented the awards, said:

“I am sure that we have all been inspired by what these six amazing people have achieved.

This recognition is reserved for those whose courage, compassion, and unwavering love serve as an inspiration to us all.

On behalf of everyone present, I extend our deepest gratitude for epitomising everything that is brilliant in our communities – we are truly humbled by what you are doing.”

We spoke with Serena following the presentation about her admiration for Alex & Sergio, Jen & David and Lauren & Ben.

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The force of nature that is Speedo Mick was crowned City Region Superhero 2025 at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 🦸🏻‍♂️

He’s raised over £1m for charity during his epic missions and he’s got big plans for the next one!

Mick had no idea he was going to receive an accolade, but the super-fundraiser was typically humble and hilarious as he was presented with it by The Guide founder and awards host Jay Hynd.

Mick Cullen (Speedo Mick) said:

“It’s amazing to be here and that the best felling is the world is giving back, there’s no feeling like it. This room is full of people who give back, so its an honour to be here”

Speedo, aka Mick Cullen, has dedicated the past decade to fundraising for charities and organisations supporting mental health, disadvantaged young people and people who are homeless – all things he’s experienced in his own life.

Mick has just announced that he’ll be teaming up with Olympic gold medallist Fatima Whitbread for a new Polar challenge in February next year in temperatures down to minus 20.

And he’s got Everest base camp planned for later in the year, so there couldn’t be a more worthy winner of the title City Region Superhero.

“When we came up with the categories for Heroes, we knew there were a few that we wanted to surprise on the night,” says Jay.

“With City Region Superhero, for me it was about someone who does incredible things but also fights for what’s right and might have overcome something to take on a big feat, or raise money.

“It’s what we all think of as a superhero put into a Scouser – and the first person that came to mind was Speedo Mick.

“What that guy has done over the years, with the background that he’s had and the things he’s had to overcome himself, is absolutely incredible.

“To raise over £1m so far, and not be stopping yet, he deserves to be our first City Region Superhero.”

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A Special Award for Southport 💛

We’re so honoured to have been able to pay tribute at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025 to the families of the three girls we lost in Southport last year.

The work that Elsie’s Story, Bebe’s Hive & Alice’s WonderDance do is absolutely incredible, what a very well deserved standing ovation that was 🫶👏

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Cheryl Korbel is one of the recipients of the Make a Difference Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025. ✨

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The inspirational Southport families receive the Special Award at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025. 👏🏻

Rach catches up with them after a standing ovation from the entire room. ❤️

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We spoke to some of the fantastic winners at The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025. 💫

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We spoke to the families of our incredible Child of Courage winners to find out more about these amazing heroes. 💫

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The first ever Guide Liverpool Heroes is offically underway ✨🥳

We chat with people as we prepare to celebrate some of the most inspiring people in the city. ❤️

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The Guide Liverpool Heroes 2025 has officially begun! 🌟

Tune in live via the link in our stories 🫶

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