Actress Kym Marsh was visibly emotional as she honoured remarkable midwife Agnes Nisbett at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards this week.
The annual event, which marked its 25th anniversary on Monday night, paid tribute to the UK’s fundraisers, inspiring children, community heroes, young achievers and courageous individuals with well-deserved awards. The star-studded evening took place at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Agnes Nisbett, one of the award recipients, was named Community Hero for her years of unwavering commitment to supporting bereaved mothers. The 87 year old experienced the devastating loss of a stillbirth in 1973 when she was a young midwife and has since dedicated her life to providing a safe space for women who have suffered the same tragedy.
After losing her son John many years ago, Agnes returned to work determined to make a difference, having no keepsakes of him. She initiated the Born Whilst Sleeping programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary, creating a separate room for grieving mothers away from the main maternity ward.
Agnes also encouraged mothers to take photographs and palm prints as cherished mementos, reports the Mirror.
The audience was moved to tears by Agnes’ story, with host Carol Vorderman announcing that ‘two women grateful to you’ would present her award.
An emotional Kym Marsh and Sue Johnston took to the stage to express their gratitude for Agnes’ years of tireless service.
In a particularly poignant moment at the Pride of Britain Awards, Kym Marsh, who herself suffered the heart-breaking loss of her child, was moved to tears as she expressed her deep gratitude to Agnes.
Speaking from one mother to another, Kym said: “From one mother who has experienced baby loss to another, thank you. My son would have been 16 next year and there is no doubt you made the experience more bearable so from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.”
Kym, 48, and her former partner Jamie Lomas, faced unimaginable grief when their baby boy passed away in 2009, having been born prematurely at only 21 weeks.
Kym has spoken openly about this profound sorrow before, telling that it’s the most intense pain she’s ever endured: “It was the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I was absolutely devastated. It’s the most painful thing I’ve ever felt.”
The glamorous ceremony of the Pride of Britain Awards took place on Monday evening, with a slew of celebrities brought to tears as they paid homage to the nation’s hidden champions.
This year marked the event’s 25th-anniversary, highlighting the exceptional endeavours of community pillars, prolific fundraisers, courageous children, and everyday heroes all nominated by the public and chosen by a judging panel.
This celebratory event unfolded at the plush Grosvenor Hotel in London, featuring an elegant dinner followed by the awards presentation, hosted by the familiar faces Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo, who have jointly led the proceedings for half a decade now. The guest list glittered with fame and included Pete Wicks, Sam Thompson, luminaries from Strictly Come Dancing, Simon Cowell, among many others touched by the evening’s powerful narratives.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email [email protected].