10/10/2020
Bristol Pride has been an annual staple in the city now for over a decade. But when Daryn joined, it was right back at the beginning. in 2009 Pride was a great festival, but a lot smaller than the 30,000 attendees you'll see at Pride these days. However, with his help and leadership, it's grown to be a massive festival, last year moving to the Downs - one of Daryn's main achievements that he wanted for Pride.
Last year, Daryn was due to step down from Pride having announced his departure live on stage at the end of the event. However, he has stayed on into this year to help the organisation through the rough ride of Covid, taking Bristol Pride online. No easy task for an event more used to stages than cameras, but those that watched it agree, they pulled off a great event in a year where a lot of prides just did not take place.
Daryn won our "Local Hero of the Year" award, ShoutOut's most prestigious of all the awards, in the ShoutOut Listeners' Awards a few years ago, given for his services to the community. Now, Daryn is to be honoured with an MBE. Posting online about those who nominated him, Daryn said "I don't know who you are but perhaps you are in my friends list and I wanted to say thank you".
Daryn told the BBC he felt "incredibly honoured" to be recognised and "overwhelmed" stating "It is really important for our community and for our work with the LGBT community that it is visible and seen. I'm accepting this honour in recognition of the support of so many people who have helped Bristol Pride get to where it is today".
From all of us here at ShoutOut Radio, we wish to say a massive congratulations to a long-term friend of the show. It is an honour and pleasure to work with you so much each year. This award could not be better deserved.