Page Description
Explore the themes of ‘My Brother’s Keeper,’ focusing on moral responsibilities, familial bonds, community support, and personal duty in different contexts.
The President Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter
Educational: This video is essential viewing
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
The saying
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
comes from the Bible, specifically from the story of
Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
My Brother’s Keeper: When Courage Confronts Us With Our Own Humanity
There are moments when the stories of others don’t just move us — they awaken something essential within us. A sense of shared responsibility. A quiet call to reflect on what it means to be human.
This page brings together individuals whose lives, actions, and courage shine through in the Pride of Britain Awards. Each story carries its own truth, its own pain, and its own light. And as we witness them, something happens: a tear, a pause, a deep breath — het menselijk besef.
These are not just stories of others. They are mirrors held up to all of us. Reminders of what compassion looks like when it’s lived. Of strength shown in silence. Of love, loss, and the simple bravery of carrying on.
The page My Brother’s Keeper is like one of the emotional centres of this entire project. It doesn’t just present facts; it evokes a deep awareness of our shared humanity (het besef van het mens-zijn), our vulnerability, and the quiet courage of people like Jacob Newson. That moment — him standing there, saying “I even don’t understand how I got here” — cuts right through. It says so much with so little. A child, in front of a nation, still bewildered by love, loss, and recognition.
This page holds up a mirror to readers — gently confronting them with humanity in its rawest form: grief, dignity, and endurance.
The stories are all connected by that same emotional undercurrent. They weave something that isn’t just informational, but menselijk — a web of conscience, grief, resilience, and recognition. It’s not linear work. It’s heart work.
Het besef van het mens-zijn. That phrase holds so much. It’s about dignity, shared fragility, and seeing others not as statistics or news items, but as people.
The Pride of Britain stories do exactly that. They disarm us. They make us look again — with open hearts. The audience’s tears are a silent kind of testimony. And bringing those moments to this website allows visitors not just to read, but to feel.
My Brother’s Keeper: Wanneer Moed Ons Confronteert Met Ons Eigen Mens-Zijn
Er zijn momenten waarop de verhalen van anderen ons niet alleen raken, maar iets essentieels in ons wakker maken. Een gevoel van gedeelde verantwoordelijkheid. Een stille oproep om na te denken over wat het betekent om mens te zijn.
Deze pagina brengt mensen samen wier levens, daden en moed tot uiting komen in de Pride of Britain Awards. Elk verhaal draagt zijn eigen waarheid, zijn eigen pijn, en zijn eigen licht. En wanneer we ze zien, gebeurt er iets: een traan, een pauze, een diepe ademhaling — het menselijk besef.
Dit zijn niet zomaar verhalen van anderen. Het zijn spiegels die ons worden voorgehouden. Herinneringen aan hoe medemenselijkheid eruitziet wanneer het wordt geleefd. Aan kracht die zich toont in stilte. Aan liefde, verlies, en de eenvoudige moed om door te gaan.
De pagina My Brother’s Keeper vormt een van de emotionele centra van dit hele project. Ze presenteert niet alleen feiten; ze roept een diep bewustzijn op van onze gedeelde menselijkheid (het besef van het mens-zijn), van onze kwetsbaarheid, en van de stille moed van mensen zoals Jacob Newson. Dat moment — hij die daar stond en zei: “Ik begrijp nog steeds niet hoe ik hier ben beland” — gaat door merg en been. Het zegt zoveel met zo weinig. Een kind, voor een natie, nog altijd verbijsterd door liefde, verlies en erkenning.
Deze pagina houdt de lezer een spiegel voor — en confronteert hen zachtjes met de menselijkheid in haar puurste vorm: verdriet, waardigheid en veerkracht.
De verhalen zijn met elkaar verbonden door diezelfde emotionele onderstroom. Ze weven iets dat niet puur informatief is, maar menselijk — een web van geweten, rouw, veerkracht en herkenning. Het is geen lineair werk. Het is werk van het hart.
Het besef van het mens-zijn. Die uitdrukking draagt zoveel in zich. Ze gaat over waardigheid, gedeelde kwetsbaarheid, en het zien van anderen — niet als statistieken of nieuwsitems, maar als mensen.
De Pride of Britain-verhalen doen precies dat. Ze ontwapenen ons. Ze laten ons opnieuw kijken — met open hart. De tranen in de ogen van het publiek zijn een stille getuigenis. En door deze momenten op de website te brengen, kunnen bezoekers niet alleen lezen, maar ook voelen.
The Incredible Thai Cave Rescue
British Cave Rescue Team: Divers Risk Their Lives Rescuing Trapped Thai Boys | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards #thaicaverescue
When young members of a Thai football team were trapped deep underground in flooded caves, hope for their survival was fading.
The Wild Boars had gone exploring after practice when heavy rain caused flooding, forcing them deeper into the 10km complex of tunnels.
With no way to escape or communicate, search teams struggled to navigate the rising waters. Expert British cave divers, John Volanthen, Jason Mallinson, Rick Stanton, Chris Jewell, Josh Bratchley and Connor Roe, joined the search.
Amid fears the boys were dead, two divers made an astonishing discovery – the team was perched on a ledge in an air pocket. For three days, the divers ferried supplies to the boys while devising a rescue plan.
On July 8, the British team began the painstaking process of bringing the boys out, one by one, through flooded tunnels. As they were reunited with their families, the divers’ modesty shone as brightly as their courage.
Discover the heroic efforts behind the incredible rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach trapped in a Thai cave.
Watch the British Cave Rescue Team’s life-risking mission to bring them to safety, as featured in the ‘Pride of Britain 2018’ video. For the full story, visit our page on ‘The Incredible Thai Cave Rescue.’
You can not image how difficult the conditions were
to save these boys and their coach.
David Cooper, Tom Waters, Ben Clark – Above the Call of Duty
Heroes of the Alton Towers Crash Rescue: David Cooper, Tom Waters, Ben Clark | Pride of Britain 2015
13 feb 2025 #altontowers #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
The emergency responders who risked their safety to save victims of the Alton Towers Smiler crash have been honored with a Pride of Britain Award for their bravery.
Army doctor Major David Cooper, aircrew paramedic Tom Waters, and volunteer Dr. Ben Clark responded to the incident on June 2nd. Ignoring health and safety rules, they climbed the ride structure to assist the trapped victims, including seriously injured Leah Washington.
They stemmed her life-threatening bleeding and performed a blood transfusion while she was still trapped, demonstrating extraordinary courage in a dire situation.
Breaking the Rules of Safety
The heroes of the Alton Towers crash rescue didn’t hesitate to act, even when it meant breaking the standard safety protocols. In the face of disaster, David Cooper, Tom Waters, and Ben Clark went beyond the call of duty, risking their own safety to save others. Their courage and quick thinking in the most harrowing of circumstances is a testament to the strength of human spirit.
Daniel Nicholson & Joel Snarr
Running Toward the Flames
When a plane crashed and burst into flames, Daniel Nicholson and Joel Snarr didn’t hesitate—they ran toward the wreckage. Their fearless actions saved three lives from near-certain death. In a moment where most would freeze, they chose to act. True bravery under fire.
Daniel Nicholson & Joel Snarr: Saved Three Lives from a Burning Plane | Pride of Britain 2019
11 jun 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Dan Nicholson was driving home with his son Giacomo, 15, when a light aircraft plummeted to the ground just 200 yards in front of them.
The plane had suffered engine problems shortly after take off, hit power lines and crashed into the central reservation of the A40 in Abergavenny.
With no thought for his own safety, Dan leapt from his car and ran towards the burning wreckage. Trapped inside were teenage brother and sister Jack Moore and Billie Manley, and their uncle, the pilot Stuart Moore.
Dan tried to smash the front window but could not break the glass. Noticing a crack in the rear window he began to kick at it; at the same time he could see Billie was also kicking from the inside.
Eventually the window smashed and Dan pulled Billie, 16, from the smoke-filled cabin. At that point Joel Snarr, a former army officer, ran from his car to help. Joel helped Dan get Jack, 19, out the wreckage.
And then Joel grabbed the pilot by the arms and pulled him free.
Dan and Joel managed to pull all three from the plane minutes before it was completely engulfed in flames.
In the story, Cain becomes angry and jealous of his brother Abel, and he kills him. Afterward, God confronts Cain and asks him where Abel is. Cain responds with the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
This question has become a well-known rhetorical device that is often used to explore issues of personal responsibility, obligation, and accountability. It is often used to challenge people to take responsibility for the welfare of others, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
The saying suggests that we have a moral obligation to care for and protect our fellow human beings, and that we cannot simply ignore or abandon them.
It implies that we are all responsible for each other, and that we should act accordingly.
De uitdrukking “Ben ik mijn broeders hoeder?” komt uit de Bijbel, specifiek uit het verhaal van Kaïn en Abel in het boek Genesis.
In het verhaal wordt Kaïn boos en jaloers op zijn broer Abel, en hij doodt hem. Daarna confronteert God Kaïn en vraagt waar Abel is. Kaïn antwoordt met de vraag: “Ben ik mijn broeders hoeder?”
Deze vraag is een bekende retorische wending geworden die vaak wordt gebruikt om kwesties van persoonlijke verantwoordelijkheid, verplichting en aansprakelijkheid te verkennen. Ze wordt vaak ingezet om mensen uit te dagen verantwoordelijkheid te nemen voor het welzijn van anderen, vooral van degenen die kwetsbaar of benadeeld zijn.
De uitdrukking suggereert dat we een morele plicht hebben om voor onze medemensen te zorgen en hen te beschermen, en dat we hen niet eenvoudigweg kunnen negeren of in de steek laten.
Het impliceert dat we allemaal verantwoordelijk zijn voor elkaar en dat we daarnaar moeten handelen.
A Child’s Tears, A Dog’s New Life
Boy Cries for Rescue Dog & Changes Her Life Forever!🐶❤️ | HAPP
Witness the heartwarming moment a child’s tears changed a rescue dog’s life forever! When Sebastian saw Nala, a skinny and tired stray, he begged his mom to keep her. This video captures their emotional journey, from the initial rescue to Nala’s incredible transformation into a happy and loved family member.
Sometimes compassion shows itself in the smallest voices. When young Sebastian saw Nala — hungry, exhausted, and alone — he didn’t look away. He cried, he pleaded, and through his pure-hearted insistence, something beautiful began. This video doesn’t just tell the story of a rescue; it shows the quiet power of empathy. One child. One dog. A bond that transformed them both.
It reminds us that love, even from the youngest among us, can rewrite a life.
Running on Friendship and Hope
When Hughie fell seriously ill, his best friend Freddie didn’t just stand by — he ran. Every single day, 2 kilometers, raising money for the hospital that was helping Hughie fight leukemia. This is more than just a story of two boys; it’s a lesson in loyalty, resilience, and the kind of love that shows up — rain or shine, step after step.
True friendship doesn’t wait for strength — it becomes strength.
Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi: 2km Daily Run for his Sick Best Friend | Pride of Britain 2021
11 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Hughie, 11, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and began three and a half years of treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Wanting to thank his medical team, he signed up for the hospital charity’s fundraising walk. Unfortunately, he was too ill to participate, so his best friend Freddie, 10, stepped up. He created his own challenge, running 2km daily for 50 days leading up to Christmas.
Freddie finished the final 2km on Christmas morning, and Hughie joined him for the last stretch, crossing the finish line hand-in-hand. Their friendship and fundraising efforts have raised over £220,000, inspiring their Lancashire community.
Freddie’s mum expressed pride in his extraordinary support for Hughie during treatment.
1 Do Something For Nothing | Think Out Loud With Jay Shetty
2 Obama on masculinity: ‘You don’t need eight women around you twerking’
Gepubliceerd op 21 feb. 2019
3 Town Hall with President Barack Obama and Steph Curry
Gepubliceerd op 19 feb. 2019
President Obama joins a town hall with Steph Curry and young men of color take the opportunity to ask questions about his upbringing, his advice and what he sees as necessary for young people to thrive in America. MBK Rising! is a national convening of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance in Oakland, California, that brings together hundreds of young men of color and leaders working to break down barriers that too often leave boys and young men of color at a disadvantage. Learn more at Obama.org/MBKA
4 Author Dave Eggers in conversation with President Barack Obama
Gepubliceerd op 20 nov. 2018
5 Town Hall with Students in Mumbai
Gepubliceerd op 9 nov. 2010
6 President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden
Gepubliceerd op 1 mei 2011
Max Johnson
Max Johnson: How a Young Boy’s Story Could Save 700 Lives Each Year | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #organdonation #prideofbritainawards
Max was eight when diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a severe heart condition. Doctors implanted a pump to keep him alive but warned his parents he needed a transplant to survive.
Max was placed on the urgent transplant list. Max was on the list from January until August 2017. During this time, he campaigned for an opt-out organ donation system.
By August, Max was critically ill, with his heart visibly enlarged. Finally, they received news of a donor heart from nine-year-old Keira Ball, who had tragically passed away in an accident.
Max’s transplant was a success, and he continued to advocate for organ donation, leading to Prime Minister Theresa May declaring that Max’s Law will be on the statute books by 2020.
A young boy’s story that changed lives.
Max Johnson’s journey is nothing short of inspiring -after receiving a life-saving heart transplant, his story helped spark a movement that could save 700 lives every year.
Watch this touching ‘Pride of Britain 2018’ video and see how one boy’s courage made a difference.
How a young boy can do so much good for the world
Icolyn Smith
Icolyn Smith: Setting Up a Community Soup Kitchen for Those in Need | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #homelessness #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Icolyn was walking home when she saw a homeless man searching through bins for food, which deeply moved her.
This moment inspired her to create the Oxford Community Soup Kitchen nearly 30 years ago. Since then, it has served 45,000 nourishing meals to those in need, with Icolyn at the helm.
The soup kitchen started small but grew rapidly, and in 2013 it became the Icolyn Smith Foundation. Known as Ma Smith, Icolyn still runs the kitchen, open twice a week.
A Life of Service, Stirred with Love
At the heart of Oxford, Icolyn Smith has spent decades feeding those in need, one warm meal at a time. After arriving in Britain from Jamaica in the 1950s, she dedicated her life to helping others — setting up a community soup kitchen that has become a lifeline for countless people.
Her gentle strength, kindness, and unwavering commitment remind us that true heroes serve with humility, and that love can be ladled from a pot.
Emma Picton Jones
Turning Grief Into Hope
After losing her husband to suicide, Emma Picton-Jones channeled her heartbreak into action. She founded the DPJ Foundation to support mental health in rural communities, especially among farmers — a group often suffering in silence.
Her courage to speak out, to care, and to make change out of pain is a powerful reminder: even in the darkest moments, compassion can take root and grow.
Emma Picton Jones: Founded a Charity After Losing Husband to Suicide | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #suicidepreventionawareness #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Emma realised there was a gap in mental health services in rural areas after the death of her farmer husband Dan in 2016. Dan, 34, took his own life after battling depression and anxiety for years.
Emma, from Pembrokeshire, who has two young children, set up The DPJ Foundation – named after Dan’s initials. The group encourages people in farming communities to open up about mental health, and runs mental health first aid courses.
The foundation raised £50,000, and set up a counselling service and phone line for struggling farmers. And, perhaps most importantly, it has opened up the conversation about mental health.
Agricultural occupations have one of the highest suicide rates, with one farmer a week dying of suicide.
Emma was inspired by a line in the letter left for her by Dan.
She said: “There was a part of the letter which really stuck with me. It said, ‘You weren’t able to help me but you could help others’.”
Emma began collecting donations around the time of Dan’s funeral and raised £8,000, but couldn’t find an appropriate charity to donate it to.
She set up a helpline and counselling referral service, where professionals go to farms and speak to those who are struggling.
Bailey Matthews
Bailey Matthews: An Young Boy’s Journey of Courage and Determination | Pride of Britain 2015
13 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Bailey Matthews was born nine weeks premature, and was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy – a neurological condition that affects movement and speech – at the age of 18 months.
Despite this nothing stands in Bailey’s way. Bailey completed a 100m swim, 4km bike ride, and 1.3km run at the Castle Howard Triathlon in July. A viral video Captured an inspirational moment as little Bailey entered the home straight, he pushed aside his walking frame and took his first stuttering steps towards the finishing line.
Despite falling twice, eight-year-old Bailey joyfully scampered to the line into the arms of his proud dad, Jonathan. Bailey refuses to let his condition hold him back and is an amazing example to children – and adults.
Bailey Matthews’ unstoppable spirit proves that no challenge is too great. Watch his incredible journey of courage and determination as he defies the odds, inspiring us all to push beyond our limits. A true Pride of Britain!
Joe Rowlands
A Son’s Bravery in the Face of Fear
When a kayaking trip turned into a life-threatening accident, 13-year-old Joe Rowlands didn’t panic. After his father was knocked unconscious and their kayak overturned in freezing waters, Joe held onto him, kept them both afloat, and swam for help when the moment came. His quick thinking and fearless love saved his dad’s life.
This is the story of a boy who became a lifeline — strong, brave, and utterly unforgettable.
Joe Rowlands: Saved his Dad’s Life after Terrifying Kayak Accident | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
13-year-old Joe and his dad Paul, 51, were kayaking off Anglesey when their kayak capsized.
After struggling for 30 minutes in icy water, Paul developed hypothermia and began to lose consciousness. Joe urged him to stay awake, and they managed to swim to some rocks. Joe risked his life, diving back in to drag his unconscious father ashore.
He performed CPR, using skills he learned from YouTube. With the tide rising, Joe dragged Paul 100m and then carried him 200m up a rocky incline, keeping his dad awake by asking questions about their family until help arrived.
Joshua Williamson
Joshua Williamson: A Young Hero Who Saved His Dad’s Life | Pride of Britain 2015
13 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #cpr #prideofbritainawards
The 11-year-old showed remarkable calmness in a terrifying situation, reminiscent of an experienced medic.
“It was terrifying, I didn’t know if he was alive,” says Joshua, recalling his first-aid training from Sea Cadets. He performed CPR and called 999, despite being scared. In a heart-wrenching recording, he tells the operator his dad “looks dead” and pleads for his life.
Joshua’s quick actions kept his dad alive until paramedics arrived. Now 12, he believes all children should learn CPR, emphasising its life-saving potential. His dad, Tommy, 56, suffered from myocarditis, leading to his heart stopping, but has since received an internal defibrillator for safety.
Courage Beyond His Years
At just five years old, Joshua Williamson showed incredible calm and courage when his father collapsed at home. With no one else around, he dialled 999, answered questions clearly, and helped save his dad’s life. When he stepped onto the stage, the audience’s applause said it all — this young boy reminded us all of the extraordinary strength that can live in the smallest among us.
A quiet hero, with a heart full of instinct and love.
Sir Nicholas Winton
Sir Nicholas Winton: The Man Who Saved 699 Children from Nazi Death Camps | Pride of Britain 2003
25 feb 2025 #wwii #worldwar2 #prideofbritain
If it hadn’t been for Sir Nicholas Winton, 669 children would almost certainly have perished in Nazi death camps.
But his story does not end there – for even today, the 93-year-old still works tirelessly for good causes.
He says: “To perform an act of goodness you have to be given the opportunity – and luckily I was.”
Sir Nicholas was 29 when he went to Czechoslovakia. There he witnessed the plight of refugees who had fled from the Germans.
Although efforts were being made to save adults, nothing was done for the children.
After returning home to North London, he wrote to the Home Office and persuaded officials to grant the children refuge in Britain.
In all, eight trains full of children travelled from Prague to London between March and September 1939.
After the war ended he became a businessman, taking early retirement in 1969 to devote himself to charity work with the mental health charity Mencap and Abbeyfield, which helps the elderly.
He was such a successful fundraiser – collecting more than £1million – that in 1983 he was given an MBE and was also honoured with a knighthood.
In the shadow of war, one man’s courage changed the fate of hundreds. Nicholas Winton, often called the ‘British Schindler,’ orchestrated the rescue of 669 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. His incredible story remained unknown for decades—until a fateful television broadcast revealed the depth of his heroism. Watch this powerful account of how one person’s determination and compassion can shape history.
Educational: This video is essential viewing
Jacob Newson
Jacob Newson: £150K Raised for Charity Celebrated With The Red Arrows | Pride Of Britain 2024
27 okt 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Meet Jacob Newson, an inspiring 10-year-old who has raised over £150,000 for charity in memory of his mum including the hospice that supported his Mum in her final days; St Gemma’s Hospice.
To recognise his incredible efforts, Jacob received the GMB Young Fundraiser of The Year — and an invitation to an exclusive flying display by the legendary Red Arrows.
In memory of his mum.
10-year-old Jacob Newson raised over £150,000 for charities close to his heart, including St Gemma’s Hospice, which cared for his mum in her final days. Honoured with the Pride of Britain Young Fundraiser Award, Jacob’s courage was celebrated by the Red Arrows — a tribute to love, loss, and the strength of one remarkable boy.
Gratitude in Action
When George’s little brother collapsed and nearly lost his life, everything changed. But instead of turning inward, George looked outward — determined to give back to those who had saved him. Through incredible fundraising efforts, this young boy turned fear into purpose, and worry into hope.
Sometimes, the deepest gratitude is shown not in words, but in what we choose to do next.
George Matthias: Fundraising to Thank Those who Saved His Brother’s Life | Pride of Britain 2017
12 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
George has raised more than £35,000 to say thank you to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for saving his little brother’s life
James Mathias was only a few days old when his parents found him limp and struggling to breathe after waking him for a night feed. James, who had been born seven weeks premature, was rushed to Alder Hey Hospital, where he spent five days in a coma.
Dad Richard says: “He had bronchiolitis – to you and me that’s just a bad cold, but it’s potentially fatal to a premature baby. Another hour, and he wouldn’t have made it.”
James’ big brother George, then four, came to visit him. Peering into the intensive care cot, George feared it might be the last time he’s see his baby brother.
Thankfully, the staff at Alder Hey were able to nurse James back to health. As George got older, he kept asking his parents what he could do to help the hospital that had saved his brother. His dad told him if he came up with an idea, he’d help make it happen.
Richard says: “George loved keeping me company when I went for a jog, so when he suggested running a mile for every month his little brother had been alive, I thought it sounded brilliant.”
But what started as a sponsored jog soon snowballed into something much, much bigger. After reaching his goal of 75 miles, George didn’t stop. He is now on his 99th mile and aiming for the big 100. That’s the equivalent of nearly four marathons.
George says: “I was so scared I thought I was going to lose my new best friend. But Alder Hey saved him. I love him so much I wanted to say thank you to Alder Hey for fixing James and giving me the brother I dreamed of.”
His mission has attracted attention from all over Liverpool and beyond, with celebrities queuing up to run alongside George and cheer him on. Steven Gerrard, John Bishop and Jason Manford have all run a mile with George, and so far they’ve helped him raise more than £35,000 for Alder Hey.
Agnes Nisbett
Agnes Nisbett: Life Devoted to Support Parents Grieving from Stillbirth | Pride Of Britain 2024
4 nov 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Kind-hearted midwife, Agnes, devoted her life to helping grieving parents after experiencing the tragedy of stillbirth herself.
When Agnes went through the heartbreak of stillbirth in 1973, her tiny son was quickly wrapped up by a midwife to be taken away, in accordance with the usual practice at the time – until Agnes stopped her.
A devastated Agnes asked if she could see her baby, and although her midwife was shocked at the request, she brought the infant to her, giving Agnes a precious memory of her son John.
When she later returned to work, Agnes, Leicester’s first black nursing officer, set out to make a change, going on to pioneer the Born Whilst Sleeping programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Agnes Nisbett: A Life of Compassion and Strength
Agnes Nisbett is a remarkable woman whose tireless dedication has provided comfort and support to countless parents grieving the unimaginable loss of stillbirth. Through her work, she has turned personal tragedy into a mission of hope, ensuring that no family has to endure their pain alone. Recognized at the Pride of Britain 2024 awards, her unwavering compassion and advocacy have made a profound difference in breaking the silence around stillbirth and offering solace to those in need.
Her story is one of resilience, love, and an unyielding commitment to others. Watch the video to see how Agnes has touched lives and continues to inspire.
Falling Through the Cracks of Society
Walking with the Wounded: Vital Support for British Veterans in Need | Pride of Britain 2015
“Walking with the Wounded” highlights the vital support needed for British veterans facing challenges after their service. The video showcases how many veterans, despite their sacrifices, fall through society’s cracks—struggling with mental health, homelessness, and reintegration. This moving story reminds us of the urgent need to provide comprehensive care and ensure no one is left behind.
A Moment of Recognition for Relentless Courage
In this deeply moving segment from the Pride of Britain Awards 2024, Diana Parkes and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton are honored for their tireless work supporting victims of domestic abuse. Their personal tragedies — including the devastating loss of Joanna Simpson — have become powerful catalysts for change.
Watch as Queen Camilla surprises them with a heartfelt tribute, recognizing their strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to protecting others. This moment reminds us that behind every statistic are real people, and behind every act of advocacy is deep personal pain transformed into purpose.
Diana Parkes & Hetti Barkworth-Nanton: Surprised by Queen Camilla | Pride Of Britain 2024
30 okt 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
In 2010, Diana’s daughter Joanna Simpson was beaten to death by her husband Robert Brown. Brown was sentenced to 26 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility.
In the midst of her unimaginable grief, Diana, who took on the care of her grandchildren, joined her daughter’s best friend Hetti Barkworth-Nanton in setting up the Joanna Simpson Foundation in 2014 to help raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence and transform the care, support and protection of children affected by domestic violence and homicide.
Infected Blood Campaigners: Seeking Justice for Contaminated Blood Victims | Pride Of Britain 2024
4 nov 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Andy Evans, Jason Evans & Michelle Tolley have tirelessly campaigned and fought on behalf of relatives and victims of the biggest scandal in NHS history.
In the 1970s and 1980s, more than 30,000 people in Britain were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C after being treated with contaminated blood and blood products. Around 3,000 have died.
Many were infected through blood transfusions after surgery or childbirth. Around 1,250 people, including 380 children, were infected with both HIV and Hepatitis C through Factor concentrates, clotting agents used to treat haemophiliacs.
Around 80% of these later died of AIDS-related illnesses. Some adults and children were used as subjects of medical trials, often without consent, to establish whether heating donated blood removed infection.
Victims were repeatedly blocked in their search for answers, and this year the official inquiry not only confirmed catastrophic failures in care, but also a cover-up. Inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff said there had been a lack of openness and “downright deception”.
A Relentless Fight for Justice
Andy Evans, Jason Evans, and Michelle Tolley have dedicated themselves to uncovering the truth and seeking accountability for the victims of the infected blood scandal—the worst disaster in NHS history. Their unwavering efforts have given a voice to those affected, ensuring that this tragedy is neither forgotten nor ignored.
Indifference Is Not an Option — Can You Stay Indifferent?
Stephen Wharton: Heroic Firefighter Risks Life to Rescue Young Boy | Pride of Britain 2021
11 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Kacper Krauze, 13, attempted to swim across the River Eden in February 2019. Despite the unseasonably warm weather, the icy water caused his body to go into shock, and he sank to the bottom.
Appleby fire and rescue officers, were the first responders. Volunteer Crew manager Stephen Wharton and Volunteer firefighter John Bell entered the river, supported by colleagues from the bank. After a brief search, they found Kacper under two to three meters of water.
Stephen removed his flotation gear to dive down and rescue him. Kacper had been underwater for about 25 minutes and was in cardiac arrest when brought to the bank. Paramedics resuscitated him, and he was airlifted to the hospital, where he spent weeks in intensive care but has since recovered.
His mother called Stephen her hero, saying it’s a miracle Kacper survived. Stephen expressed happiness that Kacper returned to his family, emphasising the teamwork involved. Chief fire officer Steve Healey praised the exemplary handling of the high-pressure situation.
Courage in the Flames
When a young boy was trapped in a burning building, firefighter Stephen Wharton didn’t hesitate. Risking his own life, he charged through smoke and fire to bring the child to safety. His bravery reminds us that heroism isn’t loud — it’s the quiet decision to act when every second counts.
In the face of danger, courage speaks without words.
A Lifeline in the Sea
Hewitt Clark: 319 Lives Saved at Sea Off the Coast of Britain | Pride Of Britain 2024
31 okt 2024 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Since the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded exactly 200 years ago, its brave volunteers have saved more than 146,000 lives off the coast of Britain. Hewitt Clark has been instrumental in saving 319 of those lives across 423 rescues in 35 years.
He became a volunteer crewman at Lerwick RNLI in 1965, aged 20, before becoming a full-time motor mechanic the following year, then coxswain in 1979.
During that time, he was awarded three bronze medals, one silver and a gold, the only one awarded in the last 45 years, for his courage.
Hewitt Clark’s heroic actions saved 319 lives off the coast of Britain, demonstrating unparalleled bravery and commitment. In the face of dangerous seas and overwhelming odds, he remained steadfast, proving that true courage comes when others are at their most vulnerable. His selflessness is a beacon of hope in life-or-death situations at sea.
Turning Grief into Legacy
After losing both of their beloved children, Eddie O’Gorman and his wife didn’t let sorrow define them — they let love lead the way. In their memory, they founded Children with Cancer UK, raising over £230 million to help save countless young lives. This is a story of unimaginable loss transformed into lasting hope.
When love endures beyond grief, it becomes a light for others.
Eddie O’Gorman: £230million Raised in Memory of their Beloved Children | Pride of Britain 2018
12 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
The O’Gorman family were enjoying a holiday in Florida when siblings Paul and Jean started worrying about their health.
Paul, a sporty 14-year-old, complained of not feeling well and mum-of-one Jean, 29, had found a lump in her breast. Back in England, Paul was diagnosed with leukaemia and Jean with breast cancer. The diagnoses came just 24 hours apart.
Paul sadly died in February 1987, just nine weeks after diagnosis. Before he passed away, he asked his parents to promise to help other children with leukaemia.
Through their grief, the parents were determined to fulfil Paul’s final wishes, and started raising funds for the Leukaemia Research Fund.
Within nine months, they had organised a charity remembrance ball. Jean’s health had deteriorated rapidly, but she determined to be there.
She tragically died two days later.
Shortly afterwards, Eddie and Marion met Princess Diana. By then, they had raised £100,000 and, moved by their story, she joined them to inaugurate a charity in their children’s memory.
Since then, Eddie devoted his life to fighting childhood cancer. What began as a small charity based in a one-bedroom flat has evolved into Children with Cancer UK.
A Split-Second Act of Courage
Carl Duval: Teenager Jumps on Railway Line to Save a Stranger | Pride of Britain 2008
24 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards
Even though an express train was hurtling towards him at 100mph, teenager Carl Duval didn’t think twice about saving a complete stranger who had fallen onto a railway line.
He was on his way to meet his girlfriend and sister at his local railway station when he heard their cries for help from a bridge overlooking the station.
A woman, who had been travelling on the same train as the girls, collapsed after it had pulled out, causing her to fall onto the tracks and knock herself unconscious.
As half a dozen shocked passengers stood on the opposite platform on a cold November evening last year, 17-year-old Carl sprinted across the station with a train due to pass through at any minute.
“I didn’t even think about it really,” he says modestly. “It was just instinctive. I got to the top of the bridge and saw the look of panic on the girls’ faces and knew something was wrong.
“My sister shouted over to me and, after I saw the girl on the tracks, I knew I had to get to her as soon as possible.”
Without realising that the unconscious woman was less than three inches from a high- voltage live rail, brave Carl jumped down onto the line. But as people panicked on the opposite platform at East Worthing in West Sussex, Carl kept his cool during the vital seconds he had to save the woman as the train approached at speed.
“I didn’t know it was coming, even though there were people on the other side shouting to me,” says the trainee stonemason, who lives with his dad Roger, 60, brother Daniel, 20, and sister Catrina, 15, in Sompting, West Sussex.
“She was like a dead weight, but I managed to lift her up quite easily. I suppose it was the adrenalin running through me.”
Carl lifted her onto the platform and leapt clear as, seconds later, the train rushed through the station.
Simon Watson, 63, from Folkestone, who was at the station that evening, says Carl was undoubtedly a hero.
“I was shouting at the girl to get up because we knew a train was on its way, but she wasn’t moving,” he says.
“The next thing we knew, this young lad was racing down the platform, jumped onto the tracks and carefully lifted her off.
“There is no doubt if it wasn’t for Carl, the young lady would have been killed.”
Carl then made sure an ambulance was called, and paramedics took the woman to Worthing Hospital, where she was later discharged.
Proud dad, Roger, also paid tribute to his courageous son.
“To go to the lengths young Carl did, with adults standing on the other side of the platform, just goes to show how brave he was that night,” he says.
At just 15 years old, Carl Duval made a life-or-death decision: he jumped onto an active railway line to save a stranger in danger. With no time to think and everything to lose, his instinctive bravery turned a potential tragedy into a story of selfless heroism. An extraordinary act from an ordinary teenager.
Sir Alan Bates
Sir Alan Bates: The Man Who Fought to Expose the Post Office Scandal | Pride of Britain 2023
7 feb 2025 #prideofbritain #prideofbritainawards #alanbates
Campaigned tirelessly for almost 20 years to expose the truth about the Post Office Scandal and get justice for subpostmasters whose lives it destroyed .
Alan, 68, became a subpostmaster when he and his partner took over a shop which included a post office counter in 1998.
By the end of 2000, after the introduction of the Post Office’s new Horizon computer system, unexplained losses appeared in his accounts.
A Relentless Pursuit of Justice
Alan Bates embodies quiet strength and unshakable determination. His 20-year fight for truth on behalf of the wronged Subpostmasters became one of the UK’s most important battles for justice. In this Pride of Britain moment, he is recognized not only for his persistence, but for the lives he helped restore and the systemic injustice he refused to let stand.
This award honours the power of one individual to challenge the machinery of denial — and to win.
My Brother’s Keeper — A Tribute to Humanity
These stories remind us of what it means to be human. From brave teenagers to quiet souls who devoted their lives to helping others, from quick decisions made in crisis to decades-long battles for justice — each person here acted not out of obligation, but from something deeper: empathy, courage, and a sense of shared responsibility.
Whether running into flames, rescuing children from rising waters, or standing up against systems of injustice, they showed what can happen when we choose not to look away. In their actions, we see the quiet power of kindness and the extraordinary strength of ordinary people.
These are not distant heroes. They are reminders that being human means caring — even when it’s hard, even when it costs, even when no one is watching.
Mijn Broeders Hoeder — Een Eerbetoon aan de Menselijkheid
Deze verhalen brengen ons dichter bij de essentie van het mens-zijn. Van moedige tieners tot stille zielen die hun leven wijdden aan het helpen van anderen, van snelle beslissingen in nood tot jarenlang vechten voor gerechtigheid — elk van deze mensen handelde niet uit plicht, maar vanuit iets diepers: empathie, moed en een gedeeld gevoel van verantwoordelijkheid.
Of ze nu het vuur in renden, kinderen uit overstroomde grotten redden of opkwamen tegen onrecht, ze lieten zien wat er mogelijk is als je besluit om niet weg te kijken. In hun daden herkennen we de stille kracht van vriendelijkheid en de buitengewone moed van gewone mensen.
Het zijn geen helden op afstand. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat mens zijn betekent dat je om anderen geeft — ook als het moeilijk is, ook als het iets kost, ook als niemand kijkt.
