The full list of winners for the Pride of Britain Awards 2026 has been announced, with Newcastle heart surgeon Asif Hasan among those honoured for his lifetime achievement in paediatric cardiac surgery.
Asif Hasan's Lifetime Achievement Award
Asif Hasan, who stepped down this year after 30 years as head of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon who has fundamentally transformed life-saving paediatric heart surgery and transplantation across the UK. He estimates he has carried out approximately 400 transplants throughout his career.
Speaking about his work, Asif said: "There have been big highs and big lows. My heart swells when I hear about a survivor doing so well, but I do remember all the traumatic cases where someone died. I've seen human misery up close, but also human resilience and courage."
"I'm quite an ordinary person, but I had so many extraordinary colleagues with me who gave their lives to the patients. Not just consultants, but nurses, incredible, incredible people. I have also worked in one of the most extraordinary institutions in the world, which is the NHS."
"One of my abiding resolves was that when I stopped work, nobody would miss me. It's the art of becoming redundant. I wanted to train people so that they are not only competent, but better than me, and that's what I have achieved. That is my proudest achievement."
Other Notable Winners
Andrew Franks, a volunteer security guard, received the Outstanding Bravery award for confronting a knife-wielding terrorist during an attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on October 2, 2025. The assault, carried out by Jihad Al-Shamie on Yom Kippur, resulted in two fatalities. Andrew, 43, sustained multiple stab wounds but succeeded in pushing his assailant over and alerting those inside to secure the doors. He was rushed to hospital, where he died three times on the operating table during life-saving surgery.
Brandon Hulcoop, 23, a visually impaired entrepreneur from Plymouth, won the King's Trust Young Achiever award. After 16 months out of work and more than 1,000 job applications without a single offer, he established All Things Dotty, a business producing accessible products for visually impaired individuals, including braille menus, greetings cards, and board games.
Dr Eleanor Prior, known as Eli, received Special Recognition for her actions following a train collision near Bedford in June, which claimed the life of the driver and left 162 passengers injured. Despite sustaining serious injuries, the 41-year-old GP helped assess those around her and remained to tend to them until emergency services arrived.
More Inspiring Stories
Elaine Oakey won the P&O Cruises Inspiration Award for her work with young amputees through football. Her son Jamie, 23, was born without a foot and with the lower portion of his right leg missing. After campaigning for a junior team, she now serves as Head of EAFA Juniors and Head of Safeguarding.
Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler received Special Recognition for establishing Andy's Man Club, a male suicide prevention charity, following the tragic loss of Elaine's son and Luke's brother-in-law to suicide. The charity has expanded to over 360 community groups throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with approximately 7,000 men attending each Monday evening.
Ellen Roome MBE, Esther Ghey and Ian Russell MBE were also honoured with Special Recognition for their campaigns around online safety. Ian Russell's daughter Molly died in November 2017, and his campaigning helped secure the passage of the Online Safety Act. Ellen Roome fought for 'Jools' Law' after her son Julian died in April 2022, and Esther Ghey advocates through the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project following her daughter's death in February 2023.
Florence Coke, owner of Mama Flo's in Stockport, received the This Morning Local Hero award for providing free meals to pensioners, families, and homeless people. Four-year-old Gregor Corse won the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser Of The Year award, having raised £80,000 for charity through walking challenges. Kirsty Waugh received Child Of Courage for her 'Crochet for Cancer' campaign, raising over £120,000 for Children With Cancer UK. Zac Howells, 12, was also honoured with Child Of Courage for guiding his mother's vehicle to safety after she lost consciousness at the wheel.
The awards, held annually since 1999, are organised in partnership with the Daily Mirror and P&O Cruises, and hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo. Winners were selected by the Pride of Britain judging panel from a shortlist compiled after tens of thousands of public nominations.
