The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, sponsored by P&O Cruises, celebrated extraordinary achievements and resilience, honouring individuals of all ages from across the country. Categories recognised children of courage, outstanding bravery, inspirational fundraisers, and those who go the extra mile to make the world a better place locally, nationally, and globally. Winners were chosen by a judging panel from tens of thousands of public nominations.
The star-studded event, hosted by Carol Vorderman MBE and Ashley Banjo MBE, featured celebrities from international footballers to the Prime Minister presenting awards. Every story showcased was met with standing ovations, and recipients displayed humility in accepting their accolades.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Mr Asif Hasan
One award held special significance for the Chronicle and Journal: the Lifetime Achievement honour for Mr Asif Hasan, a world-leading cardiac surgeon who transformed paediatric heart surgery and transplantation in the UK from his base at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The Chronicle has reported on families helped by Mr Hasan for decades, with many going on to fundraise for the Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman (CHUF).
Among those families are the Hollingsworths from Whitley Bay. Their son Seb was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent life-saving open-heart surgery with Mr Hasan at just 16 weeks old. At age 13, Seb needed a second major operation, and Mr Hasan saved his life again. Inspired by Seb's survival, his parents set up the Seb4CHUF charity campaign, raising more than £500,000. Dad Ivan was crowned Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of the North East Awards in 2018 and named one of 50 Chronicle Heroes.
Heart Heroes Take the Stage
Earlier this year, Seb abseiled off the roof of the Great North Children's Hospital as his first solo fundraising challenge. At the Pride of Britain, Seb joined the stage after Mr Hasan's presentation, surrounded by 19 “Heart Heroes” – children, teenagers, and adults who owe their lives to the surgeon. Many spoke eloquently to thank him, creating a moment of high emotion that the Chronicle's editor-in-chief Helen Dalby said she would never forget.
Moments before his former patients took the stage, Mr Hasan humbly suggested he was “just doing my job”. He recounted a mother's question about what would happen if the hospital caught fire after he'd opened her child's chest. “Then I would die there,” he replied. Ivan Hollingsworth said: “Those 19 Heart Heroes represent thousands upon thousands more whose lives have been transformed, directly or indirectly, through his skill, leadership, care and extraordinary commitment. There genuinely could not be anyone more deserving of that recognition than Asif.”
A Legacy of Lifesaving Work
Rachel Thompson, mum to Jack Billy Burn from Whitley Bay, told of her son's first open heart surgery at four months old. Jack was so ill he may not survive the night, but Mr Hasan performed a seven-hour operation that saved him. Jack is now a confident 18-year-old studying animal management at Northumberland College Kirkley Hall Zoo. Rachel said: “We will be forever grateful for Mr Hasan. I owe him my life because he saved my baby's life. If it wasn't for Mr Hasan and the amazing team at the Freeman hospital, Jack wouldn't be here.” Jack added: “I owe my life to Mr Asif Hasan.”
Mr Hasan retired this year after 30 years as head of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Freeman, having performed around 400 transplants. He trained children's heart surgeons in the UK and internationally, building a reputation for never saying no to surgery and taking on the sickest children even when outcomes looked bleak. He 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'm quite an ordinary person, but I had so many extraordinary colleagues with me who gave their lives to the patients. I have also worked in one of the most extraordinary institutions in the world, which is the NHS.”
Pride of Britain judges described Mr Hasan as “the epitome of an unsung hero”. Other honorees included Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler from Halifax, who set up Andy's Man Club, a male suicide prevention charity, after Andrew Roberts died at 23 in 2016. Host Carol Vorderman said: “Presenting Pride of Britain is one of the greatest privileges of my life. I'm completely humbled by our winners and their extraordinary stories.” Paul Ludlow, Carnival UK and P&O Cruises president, added: “The Pride of Britain Awards shine a light on the very best, celebrating those individuals whose courage and selflessness inspire us all.” The awards are televised on Thursday on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm.
