Watch The Guide Heroes LIVE

The first ever Guide Liverpool HEROES is now underway as some of the amazing people in the city are celebrated, and you can watch it live right here.

The sparkling ceremony and night of celebration is happening at the Titanic Hotel with more than 400 people in attendance to applaud the courageous efforts, achievements and determination of all our winners.

It marks 10 years since The Guide was launched in 2015, and we can’t think of a better way to mark a decade of sharing the amazing stories of individuals, fundraisers, organisations and businesses than to reward and celebrate those whose selflessness and resilience we have been in awe of year after year.

Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool, says:

“Although it’s our 10th birthday – and that seemed like a milestone to mark – the Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 are not about us, but about the finalists; the fantastic people, the charities and the businesses who make our city stand out, sometimes overcoming tragedies or difficulties of their own, always putting others before themselves.

“We have got more than 50 outstanding finalists – and everyone of those could be a winner!”

The awards is brought to you by Liverpool Cruise Port and in Partnership with San Carlo Restaurants. Liverpool singer and songwriter Rebecca Ferguson is performing at the event, so stay tuned to see her perform.

Running Order

Award 01 – Emergency Services

Award 02 – Child of Courage

8.05pm – Dinner

9pm – Auction

9.45pm – Part 02

Award 03 – Business Hero

Award 04 – Sports Hero

Award 05 – Inspiring Influencer

Award 06 – Community Project

Award 07 – Sustainability

Award 08 – Community Hero

Award 09 – Fundraising Hero

Award 10 – Business of the Year

Award 11 – Special Award

Award 12 – Unsung Hero

Award 13 – Make a Difference

Award 14 – Charity of the Year

Award 15 – City Region Superhero

Award 15 – The Inspiration Award

The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 finalists

Sponsored by Liverpool Cruise Port, San Carlo Restaurants, Morecrofts Solicitors, Liverpool ONE, Open Media, Radisson RED Liverpool, BOXPARK Liverpool, Wild Thang, Hits Radio, Sedulo, Gaskells Waste Services, and Liverpool BID Company.

Business Hero Finalists

Anthony Grice who’s turned FIKA into a community hub with free meals, mental health walks and more.

Michelle Langan – Paper Cup Project – who offers vital support to people experiencing homelessness in Liverpool.

Mubinul Hoque, owner of Portland’s Fish & Chips, who supports his community and sponsors local Nicosia Juniors football team.

Paul Corcoran, who’s built thriving creative agency, Agent Marketing, while championing young talent.

Sarah Lovelock, who’s created a space where everyone belongs in Lovelocks Café.

Business of the Year Finalists

Frank Rogers Building Contractors – supporting communities and delivering projects that make a difference.

Home Bargains – a Liverpool success story that’s stayed true to its roots and pledged £2.5m to help save Zoe’s Place.

Mattas Bold Street – the Bold Street family-run international food business that’s welcomed people to the city for decades.

Montirex – building a sportswear brand while launching campaigns to tackle mental health.

Mowgli – redefining Indian street food and supporting charities, the restaurant in Water Street became an emergency hub in the aftermath of the Reds victory parade in May.

Charity of the Year Finalists

Claire House Children’s Hospice – Claire House makes every day count when time is short.

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity – dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families, and funding life-saving research, treatment and care across Merseyside and Cheshire.

New Beginnings Improving Lives – a grassroots charity transforming communities with free boxing and food support to vital wellbeing and family services.

North West Cancer Research – funding pioneering local research, education and community projects to save and improve lives for future generations.

Sahir House – Liverpool’s oldest LGBTQ+ and HIV charity, providing vital support, advocacy and community.

Tom Harrison House – the UK’s only veteran-specific addiction recovery centre.

Community Project Finalists

Central Waste – backing local initiatives and funding community projects to show Liverpool can thrive sustainably.

Kitty’s Laundrette – a vibrant, welcoming community hub in the heart of Anfield.

Protect Scouse Dolls – a community-led fund and service network dedicated to the wellbeing and collective freedom of the Trans+ community.

The Florrie – a landmark of Liverpool life, hosting events, activities and support that bring the community together every single day.

Celebration concert for Zoe’s Place – held at the M&S Bank Arena, it united Liverpool through music, raising vital funds to support the hospice’s specialist care for babies and children.

Community Hero Finalists

Fans Supporting Food Banks – a joint initiative between rival Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. supporters to tackle food poverty in Liverpool.

James Riley – Affectionately known in the city as The Gangs Man, James has spent a decade educating young people to help reduce serious youth violence in Merseyside.

Michelle O’Dwyer , Bay Tree Cookery Academy CIC – embracing the mix of cultures across Merseyside it teaches all ages how to cook from scratch to help people be better fed on a budget.

Paula Gunn, Tom Harrison House – offering help and mentoring to veterans who are struggling.

Sustainability Award Finalists

Brabners – a law firm driving change, investing in green projects and empowering communities.

Maray – championing sustainability in food and culture by reducing waste, sourcing ethically and supporting local communities.

Oneday – has transformed Bowring Park and Golf Course to offer golf, dog walking, children’s play areas, and food and drink at The Coach House – and created 85 local jobs.

Strawberry Field – a visitor attraction and training centre on the site that inspired John Lennon’s ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Run by The Salvation Army, it’s committed to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Zero Waste Liverpool – saving surplus food from supermarkets and outlets and redistributing it at weekly community events to feed people and cut landfill.

Emergency Services Award Finalists

Merseyside Police Family Liaison Team – standing beside families in their darkest moments, offering support and helping to bring offenders to justice.

Merseyside Water Rescue – a dedicated volunteer team operating a rescue boat around the Liverpool docks.

North West Air Ambulance – delivering critical care when every second counts and saving lives daily across our region.

RNLI New Brighton Lifeboat Crew – showing extraordinary courage and dedication to protecting lives at sea.

Fundraising Hero Finalists

Jack Dowling, who ran 26 marathons in 26 days – raising thousands for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Olly Harrison – the farmer who’s raised millions with his epic tractor convoys and charity campaigns to support North West Air Ambulance.

Alex Rigby, who ran 109 miles to every Merseyrail station in 28 hours, raising £56,000 for Centre 56.

Nicola Carragher – to raise vital funds for Alder Hey, the wife of LFC footballing legend Jamie set herself an ambitious challenge to run 7 major world marathons within 12 months.

Ged Finnegan, who has raised more £100,000 for Zoe’s Place after his first 26-mile Kate’s Coastal Walk to mark the 20^th anniversary of his daughter’s death at the age of just 13.

Phil Hayward – Wirral PE teacher Phil ran a charity 10K every day for a year – in bare feet! – for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Neil Atherton, who’s clocked up more than 500 miles and raised over £29,000 by walking bus routes for local foodbanks with the support of Arriva.

Influencer Award Finalists

Have a Laff with Saff – after setting up a TikTok account called Have a Laugh with Saff, Saffron McConville developed a career as an influencer, sharing her journey overcoming agoraphobia.

Niall O’Callaghan – a dentist’s assistant manager who gained popularity for his TikTok videos featuring impressions of a “Scouse Gerl”, he’s an ambassador for mental health charity Be Free Campaign and the Anti Schools’ Bullying Project.

Ryan Hall – Still Ryan – is a content creator known for his upbeat and positive interviews with people on the streets.

Tyler Daclaire – bold, brilliant and unapologetically authentic, Tyler is a voice for self-expression and inclusion that inspires Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Sports Hero

Dave Bangs, Amathus Dragonboat Club – inspiring teammates and using sport to build confidence, resilience and community connections.

Wayne Smith, Golden Gloves Boxing – Wayne uses sport to steer young people away from crime, boost confidence and build brighter futures.

Weapons Down Gloves Up – a grassroots movement using boxing and fitness to tackle knife crime, and give young people purpose, discipline and hope.

Southport FC – under new ownership, the club’s Celebrity Charity Match raised £48,000 for families affected by last year’s Southport tragedy.

The Inclusive Hub – changing lives through sport and creating an inspiring space where people with additional needs can build strength, confidence and belonging.

The Make a Difference Award

Tim Edwards & actor John May – the pair have been raising awareness for anti-gun and knife crime across the world after the killing of Tim’s daughter Elle, including a walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Joanne Colleran – with her family she launched the ‘Slow Down for Bobby’ campaign in memory of her son, to push for dedicated 20 mph safety zones around schools and introduce better road safety measures, education, and awareness.

Kieran Shingler – while battling cancer, Kieran set himself a challenge of climbing 12 summits in 12 months to raise money for charity, conquering the Old Man of Coniston, Snowdon, Mam Tor and Moel Famau before having to go back on chemotherapy in June.

Cheryl Korbel – succesfully campaigned for a law change compelling offenders to attend court for sentence hearings following the murder of her nine-year-old daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August 2022.

Alfie Fitzsimmons – Alfie’s Squad was launched in 2023 by Alfie and his mum Allison to create the only peer support group in the UK for children and young people who have been bereaved by suicide.