Pride of Britain - Frank Samaras

The Pride of Britain Awards, is the biggest national event that celebrates our 'unsung heroes' and this year will be attended by HRH Prince Charles, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and a host of celebrities from all arenas. One of the finalists this year is a good friend of mine, Frank Samaras; an incredible humble and kind human being who's actions back in November 2006 to save the lives of several members of the public, could have very easily cost him his own.


Frank is a Paramedic with the London Ambulance Service and back in November 2006 responded to what everyone would have thought as a 'normal' call; however that couldn't be further from the truth as moments after arriving Frank found himself fighting for his life when he was savagely attacked by a deranged man who had already killed one other at the scene. Despite incapacitating injuries Frank still found it in him to protect passersby, which in turn caused him to sustain another frenzied attack.

I feel incredibly honoured to call Frank a friend and to see him being recognised for his courage on that night is wonderful. Anyone who knows Frank would certainly agree that he is a very humble man and finds all this attention very hard to comprehend as he considers his actions not to be heroic .. he just couldn't standby and watch someone being attacked.


Frank, despite how you may feel, you are a hero. I wonder how many others could have acted as you did on that night. Sure, there are plenty of people out there that can 'talk a good job' but when it comes to it ... can they deliver? All I know is that if someone dear to me was in need of help, it's you whom I would want to be there.

*NB ... voting is open between the 19th September and the 22nd September and will be on this page, so be sure to cast one in Frank's direction :o)