The Pride of the North West light up the red carpet for the Pride of Britain Awards
A special report from the red carpet in London by ITV Granada Reporter Victoria Grimes.
They are already the Pride of the North West, but tonight, they are the Pride of Britain.
Young Fundraisers of the Year Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi, both from Lancashire, were the brightest stars on the red carpet at tonight's ceremony.
Hughie told us: ''We can't believe it - we are so thankful to everyone and to be able to share this with my best friend is really special.''
The best friends have raised more than £200,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him thank his doctors and nurses at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Hughie had signed up for the hospital charity’s fundraising walk but was too ill to take part, so best pal Freddie stepped in to help. He devised his own fundraising challenge on behalf of his pal, running 2km every day in the 50 days leading up to Christmas.
The pair certainly charmed the celebrites on the red carpet, including Hollywood legend Sharon Stone, who chatted to them about the money they have raised and was full of praise for their efforts.
She told us ''that's where it starts with the kids. They are phenomenal.''
Also honoured at the ceremony was Gee Walker from Liverpool.
The 67 year old is this year's Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award winner, after devoting her life to promoting racial harmony and building a legacy of love over hate, after she forgave her son's two killers. 18 year old Anthony Walker was killed in an unprovoked racist attack in Huyton in 2005.
Gee Walker, Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi talk to Victoria Grimes on the red carpet
On the red carpet surrounded by her family she arrived wearing a pendant bearing a picture of Anthony and said ''it's for him, he is with me tonight''.
North West's Gee Walker and Hughie and Freddie honoured at Pride of Britain Awards
The biggest night of the year
IN PICTURES: Pride of Britain Awards red carpet
The event is undoubtedly one of the glitziest, most well attended awards events of the year. It's the night some of the world's biggest film stars, sporting heroes, music acts, our best loved presenters and even members of the royal family gather together to celebrate ordinary people who do extraordinary things to make our communities better places.
And tonight a whole host of North West stars also took to the red carpet, all in awe of the phenomenal achievements of those being honoured and all looking forward to hearing their stories.
The Wanted star Tom Parker who is from Bolton was on the red carpet with his wife Kelsey. He was determined to be there to suport the winners, following treatment for a brain tumour.
Former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley said she was looking forward to hearing the winner's amazing stories: 'it's such an emotional night with so many amazing people,'' she said.
The North West has a strong tradition of inspiring people who have been honoured at the awards.
In 2019 Dante Marvin, then 11, and his huge personality stole the show. He told the audience packed with celebrities how he would never let brittle bone disease stop his fundraising and having fun.
He told us he was most looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the ceremony. When asked what he would say to him. ''I'm going to tell him I want his job'' was the reply...
Dante Marvin stole the show at the Pride of Britain Awards
In 2018 the Child of Courage Award was won by Ella Chadwick from Rochdale. She stole the hearts of the audience and was presented with her award by her hero Simon Cowell.
Each year we also celebrate those in our region who devote themselves to raising money for causes close to their hearts.
This year's regional fundraiser of the year is Sarah Parsons, who has dedicated her life to raising money to help grieving parents to cope with the loss of their baby, after she lost her own daughter Maggie six years ago.
Pride of Britain 2021: Sarah Parsons named Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year
And who could forget 2020 winner, 17 year old Courtney Pownell. Singing with her dad, she entertained her community online and brought joy to so many during lockdown and raised thousands for Claire House in Liverpool in the process.
Pride of Britain: The teenager singing her heart out for her favourite charityIn 2019 Debbie Dixon was our regional fundraiser of the year - a mum who has dedicated her life to raising awareness of cardiac risk in the young after losing her own son Aaron to an undiagnosed heart condition.
Debbie has saved countless lives by arranging heart screening programmes for young people. Without her, so many young lives may have been lost.
Pride of Britain: The mother from Cheshire raising money in memory of her son
We will have a full report on Granada Reports on Monday with all the action - the winners, the celebs, the surprises, the emotional acceptance speeches and of course - all the action from the red carpet.
THE DAILY MIRROR PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TSB, WILL BROADCAST ON ITV ON 4TH NOVEMBER AT 8PM.