As we launch the search for more remarkable young people, we look back at the past winners who find silver linings in their tough lives and bring a touch of magic to the awards
Young Florrie Bark and Jacob Newson faced challenges that would overwhelm most adults. But despite all the difficulties they face in daily life, last year’s Pride of Britain winners and their supportive families have devoted themselves to helping others.
TikTok sensation Florrie has raised £200,000 with her Bemorefab Children’s Cancer Charity, while Jacob The Pilot has raised £168,000 for the hospice that cared for his mum Andrea and the RAF Benevolent Fund, but has set himself a top target of £210,000.
Both Florrie and Jacob, 11, also want to care for other cancer survivors., The young flying-mad schoolboy from Leeds has always said he wants to be a fighter pilot when he grows up, but now Jacob says, “I also want to be a doctor so I can find a cure for cancer.
While Florrie, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia aged just six and had a very poor prognosis, is delighted to be celebrating another birthday. She says proudly, “I am nine next month.”
And she has lots of plans for the future. “I want to be like Barbie and have lots of jobs – I’ll be a cancer nurse like my nurses, and maybe a vet, and a singer.”
There’s never a dry eye in the house when the stories of bravery and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds are told about the Pride of Britain children. Every child who is nominated for a Pride of Britain award is a winner, but some are truly remarkable – and unforgettable.
When last year’s winners came back to launch Pride of Britain’s nominations last Friday aboard P&O Cruises Brittania, Child of Courage Florrie Bark and Young Fundraiser of the Year Jacob brought the fun with them.
Despite having just got over shingles, Florrie made the most of the special day with all the TV cameras, and her infectious giggle could be heard all round the ship.
All of the winners were sent on holidays of a lifetime by Pride of Britain partner P&O Cruises, but unfortunately Florrie’s gruelling treatment for cancer caused irreparable damage to her lungs, and has meant her trip is delayed.
READ MORE: Pride of Britain launches with huge party as Florrie Bark shares hope for future
“They’re holding the holiday for us to the Caribbean until after we get the call for Florrie’s lung transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital,” explains dad Andrew Bark, from Corby, Northants.
Florrie can’t wait to be able to have a normal life again, “I want to just be doing everything that I want, like everything I used to be able to do. I just want to do everything!”
Having already lost her hair a few times after several rounds of chemo, now her hair is coming back curly, although she’s brought a long wig for the day which looks just like her old locks.
Mum Stacey says, “After the first round of chemo, Florrie’s hair came back white and really straight, and then it came back dark, and this time it’s come back curly and I think it’s going to stay this time!”
While she was in hospital Florrie started posting funny and inspiring content on TikTok, which has won her 330k followers, and many well wishers have helped the family with their sterling fundraising efforts, including Henry Moore who is walking from Manchester to Ibiza in his flip flops.
Florrie’s dad Andrew says, “He’s on day 65 and passed through Barcelona and has so far raised just over £40,000 with Gift Aid.”
Explaining where Be More Fab came from, Florrie says, “Fab – That’s my initials, Florence Ava Bark.”
Her older brother Freddie, 11, sits patiently and doesn’t seem to mind his sister getting all the attention. Mum Stacey reveals with a laugh, “Freddie wants to change his middle name to Andrew so that he’s a Fab as well. At the moment he’s a Fnub!”
READ MORE: Pride of Britain launches with huge nationwide hunt for amazing unsung heroes
After the awards last year, there was some controversy over where Florrie was planning to display her precious trophy. “It’s in the living room,” she says. “But I want it in my bedroom!
However her dad points out there’s no space left. “I don’t know where it would even go!”
Young Jacob also has a special shelf in his house for his award. “I’ve got a stack of trophies,” says the lively youngster.
Jacob’s fundraising adventures have taken him and his dad Andy up and down mountains including Ben Nevis and the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and also the highest peak in North Africa and they’ve walked across the Pyrenees from France to Spain. This year he and his dad Andy plan to ride across Germany.
“I love seeing the sights and traveling,” says Jacob. His dad coughs. Jacob adds quickly, “And spending time with my dad.”
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Andy reveals, “We’ve raised £110,000 for St Gemma’s Hospice who supported us – and still support Jacob. And we’re currently at £58,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund, but the plan is to get that to £100,000.”
“And then I’m retiring,” pipes up Jacob. His exhausted dad unsurprisingly looks slightly relieved.
Jacob has sage advice for this year’s children who find themselves winning Pride of Britain when it comes to celeb-spotting. “If you get any opportunities to see anyone, just take it – grab life by the horns.”
It’s a mantra the 11-year-old lives by as reveals his secret to achieving his challenges. “My mum,” he says. “I just think about her every step of the way.”
Past winners of Child of Courage
Ravi Adelekan, 2023
After life-saving surgery to reduce the size of a non-cancerous tumour on his brain stem in September 2021, the then-eight-year-old Ravi Adelekan from Brighton had to learn to walk and feed himself again.
Yet despite this Ravi was determined to help others and set out to raise £250,000 with Ravi’s Dream in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity and Brainstrust.
Mum Bethan said: “We listened to The Greatest Showman throughout Ravi’s treatment, and he came up with the idea to make a charity single.”
Stars including Paloma Faith, Damon Albarn and Jimmy Somerville recorded a charity music video of the song A Million Dreams, which raised £82,000.
Ravi continues to have scans to monitor the tumour, and has undergone a number of procedures, but he doesn’t let his challenges hold him back. Bethan says: “Ravi loves encouraging people to believe that no matter what life throws your way, your dreams can still come true.”
Emmie Narayn-Nicholas, 2020
Manchester schoolgirl patient Emmie and her family were inspired to provide meals, support and comfort to the families of other seriously ill children.
Emmie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 11 years old in 2017, spent 100 days and nights at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and had two and a half years of treatment before it finished in 2019.
While in hospital, Emmie saw how patients’ families struggled with being away from home and had to live off snacks and fizzy drinks. That was when she came up with the idea of making wholesome, home-cooked meals for the families.
In June 2018, she started Emmie’s Kitchen next to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, which is open to all parents with a child staying at the hospital. Since starting, it has served more than 3,500 people freshly prepared dishes.
“Emmie serves at tables, slices bread and chats with the families,” says mum Eve. “Many people ask to meet her, the girl behind this brilliant idea, and she takes it all in her stride.”
Joe Rowlands, 2018
It was a bright winter’s morning when Joe, then 13, and his dad Paul, 51, took their kayak out for a paddle off Anglesey in North Wales. They were about a mile and a half from shore when the kayak started to fill with water and capsize.
Paul tried tipping it back over but it wouldn’t stay upright. So he told Joe to sit on the upturned vessel as he tried to “kick it like a float” toward a tiny island, Ynys Dulas.
After struggling for 30 minutes, Paul realised their best chance of survival was to swim for it.They managed to reach a cluster of rocks and Joe clambered to safety, but Paul developed hypothermia and passed out. Risking his life, Joe dived into the sea and dragged his unconscious father onto the rocks. He performed CPR until Paul came round.
As they huddled together, brave Joe kept his father awake until two and a half hours later, until they were rescued by the RNLI. Paul says, “He was just a boy but he acted with a maturity, calmness and courage beyond his years.”
Bailey Matthews, 2015
Eight-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Bailey Matthews reminded the world of the true meaning of sport when he pushed away his walking frame and took his first stuttering steps towards a triathlon finishing line
Captured on video by a spectator, it was an inspirational moment that went viral and was seen by millions around the world, from his native Nottinghamshire to New Zealand.
With dogged determination, and despite falling over twice, Bailey, who was born nine weeks premature, scampered over the line and into the arms of his proud dad.
Bailey was last to finish the 100m swim, 4km bike ride and 1.3km run in the Castle Howard Triathlon in North Yorkshire in July, but was roared home by a huge crowd of spectators.
Mum Julie has been stunned by the global reaction to Bailey’s triathlon feat. She says: “We never thought the video would go as big as it did. But we have never told Bailey he can’t do anything.”
Terri Calvesbert, 2004
Terri Calvesbert was just two years old when she was horrifically burned during a fire at her home, started accidentally by her mother’s cigarette.
Ninety per cent of Terri’s body was covered in agonising burns with only the area covered by her wet nappy being spared. She was left with no hair, lips, nose or fingers and just one foot. She will need surgery for the rest of her life. Dad Paul says: “The doctors told us she nearly died so many times.”
But since then, the brave little girl from Ipswich has shown courage beyond her years in coping with the terrible injuries. Paul says: “She inspires me every day.”
Sadly Terri’s mum Julie was racked with guilt, and left home a few weeks after the accident. They have not heard from her since.
Bubbly Terri has endured many major operations since then but her biggest challenge was starting school. “I worried how other children would react, but she loved it,” says Paul.
How to nominate
Amazing young people are at the heart of Pride of Britain, and over the past 26 years, some truly incredible children and teenagers have inspired the nation, despite their tender years.If you know a youngster who deserves an award, like the previous winners on this page, there are two categories where you can nominate them.The Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year award is for inspirational fundraisers aged 17 or under. Winners may have overcome immense challenges of their own to raise money, or gone to extraordinary lengths on behalf of others.The Child or Teenager of Courage award is for a young person who has battled the odds to help others, or performed an incredibly courageous act to save someone in danger.The Pride of Britain team will consider every nomination, before compiling a shortlist for the judging panel.Nominate now at prideofbritain.com