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Tireless Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams was honoured in front of millions of TV viewers in a moving tribute at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The Formby mum received the Helen Rollason award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity in recognition of her ceaseless efforts to secure justice for the 96 , which were only cut short by her untimely death from cancer in April.

Anne's family and many of her friends and supporters were in the 12,000-strong audience at the Leeds Arena for the 60th anniversary show of what has become a national institution, with her children Sara and Michael along with brother Danny Gordon accepting the award in her absence.

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A standing ovation broke out among the 12,000-strong audience at the Leeds Arena last night as actress Sue Johnston gave an emotional speech chronicling Anne’s fight.

The Royle Family and Coronation Street star said: “Who could ever hope to find the truth? The fearless Anne Williams of Formby who never heard the doors to the truth being shut in her face.

“What she heard was the last word of her dying son – ‘mum’.”

Mr Gordon said, "We would like to thank all involved for making this prestigious award to Anne, and for recognising her courage and tenacity in her fight for justice for Kevin, the other ninety five victims and the heroic survivors, many of who helped others whilst in need of help themselves.

"On behalf of Anne we would like to dedicate this award to all of them and all those who helped and supported Anne through her tireless campaign, with a special mention to John Glover who also sadly passed away this year.

"It is so sad she can’t be here with us today because without Anne and her supporters the campaign for justice would not be where it is today.

"Anne was such an easy person to like and an even easier person to love, she is missed by so many but whilst she is in our hearts and minds we will never walk alone.

"I'd like to finish by borrowing a quote from Stevie Hart: 'Through the darkness and despair of Hillsborough there shone a bright light.' That was our little Anne."

* ECHO comment: The whole country should be proud of Anne Williams

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* The book Anne started to write, With Hope In Her Heart, has been completed by her daughter Sara and published by the ECHO's sister company Trinity Mirror Sports Media. To order your copy (£9.99) telephone 0845 143 0001, visit Merseyshop here or order the ebook (£5.14) from Kindle here





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