Gaskells Waste was honoured to support the very first The Guide Liverpool Heroes Awards, a landmark event that brought the city together to recognise the individuals and families whose bravery, compassion, and resilience have defined Liverpool over the past year.
Held at the Titanic Hotel on Friday 21st November, the awards ceremony was an extraordinary celebration of everything that makes our region special. The atmosphere was emotional, powerful, and uplifting in equal measure a true reflection of Liverpool’s spirit. From remarkable acts of kindness to unimaginable courage in the face of tragedy, the evening highlighted stories that touched every corner of the city region.
For Gaskells Waste, whose heart and head office remain firmly rooted in Bootle, it was an immense privilege to be involved. Although we now operate across Merseyside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, the Wirral, North Wales, Mid Wales, Anglesey, Shropshire, Telford and beyond, Liverpool is and always will be our home. We were founded here in 1991, and supporting an event that shines a light on the very best of our community felt like a natural and meaningful partnership.
Honouring the Children of Courage
This year, Gaskells was proud to support and sponsor the Child of Courage category, an award that recognises young people whose bravery and determination stand as an inspiration to us all. Working closely with The Guide Liverpool team throughout the awards process, we had the privilege of meeting the families, hearing their stories, and understanding the strength behind each nomination.
The four Children of Courage recognised this year were:
- Jessica Dowle, who courageously shares her journey living with a stoma to raise awareness and inspire other young people.
- Henri Brammer, whose gratitude following lifesaving brain surgery inspired him to raise an incredible £30,000 for Alder Hey.
- Zachary Kewley, who acted without hesitation to save the life of a young girl in Mexico, displaying remarkable instinct and heroism.
- Maximus “Mighty Max” Johnson, aged just 8, who was honoured posthumously for his extraordinary fight against a rare brain tumour,facing multiple operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and unimaginable challenges with a warrior’s spirit.
Each story is unique, but together they represent the resilience, courage, and kindness that define the young people of our region.
A Moment the City Will Never Forget
The awards ceremony was filled with unforgettable moments, but one in particular resonated deeply across the room. When the families of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie the three young girls who tragically lost their lives at a dance class in Southport last summer stepped on stage, the entire audience rose to their feet.
It was a moment of profound emotion, solidarity, and respect. Seeing those families stand with such dignity and bravery moved everyone present. Their strength under unimaginable circumstances became one of the defining moments of the night, reminding us why the Liverpool Heroes Awards were created: to honour not only those we have lost, but the families who carry their love and legacy forward.
The Mighty Max Truck: A Lasting Tribute
In tribute to Max Johnson and to honour all the Children of Courage, Gaskells Waste has named one of its fleet vehicles the “Mighty Max” truck. Max’s story touched the entire Gaskells team, and it felt right to create something lasting in his memory.
But we wanted to go further. To recognise every one of the 2025 Children of Courage, we have added the names Jessica, Henri, Zachary, and Max onto the truck as well. As this vehicle travels across Liverpool and the wider region, it carries with it the inspiring stories of these remarkable young people. Their courage will literally be seen by thousands, a moving reminder of the strength found in our communities.
We hope the Mighty Max truck stands as a celebration of their bravery and a permanent tribute to the families who continue to share their stories with such grace.
A Night That Celebrated the Heart of Liverpool
The Liverpool Heroes Awards brought together hundreds of people, families, emergency services, community champions, volunteers, fundraisers, and ordinary residents who have done extraordinary things.
For Gaskells Waste, being part of this historic first event felt deeply personal. Liverpool shaped our company, our values, and our identity. Supporting an evening that celebrates compassion, courage, and community is exactly the type of work we are proud to stand behind.
We thank the teams at The Guide Liverpool for creating an event this city truly deserves, and we thank every hero honoured on the night, both on stage and off for reminding us what makes Liverpool special.
We look forward to continuing our support in the years ahead and carrying the stories of these extraordinary young people with us wherever we go.
