---
title: "Barry Walden, 85, wins Pride of Britain fundraising award"
canonical: https://smallgoodthings.org/stories/barry-walden-pride-of-britain-fundraiser-2026/
sourceName: "Pride of Britain Awards"
sourceUrl: "https://prideofbritain.com/award-winner/2026-winners/barry-walden/"
datePublished: 2026-10-29T00:00:00.000Z
dateModified: 2026-10-29T00:00:00.000Z
---

# Barry Walden, 85, wins Pride of Britain fundraising award

Barry Walden, 85, from Hull, won ITV Fundraiser of the Year at the 2026 Pride of Britain Awards. He has sung at charity concerts for about 65 years with the Society of MICE, a group he joined soon after it formed in 1961. Pride of Britain says the society has raised around half a million pounds for local causes.

## What happened?

Barry Walden, 85, from Hull, won the ITV Fundraiser of the Year award at the 2026 Pride of Britain Awards.

Walden has raised money by singing for about 65 years. He performs with the Society of MICE, which stands for Men in Charitable Endeavour. He joined shortly after the group formed in 1961. He is now its longest-serving member.

## How does he raise money?

The society puts on concerts and shows at many kinds of venues, from clubs to care homes. The money goes to local charities in Hull and the surrounding area, including food banks.

Pride of Britain says Walden has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds. The society as a whole has raised around half a million pounds since it began.

## Where did it start?

Walden's mother played the piano and encouraged him to sing. He has kept performing for charity ever since.

He has no plans to stop. "It will never stop," he told Pride of Britain.

His fellow members are proud of him. "He's our pride, full stop," they said.

## Why does it matter?

Small, steady fundraising adds up. A local group that performs year after year can support food banks and other causes for decades, long after one-off appeals have ended.

The national Fundraiser of the Year award is chosen from regional winners across the UK. [See every 2026 winner and regional finalist](/explainers/pride-of-britain-2026-winners/).

## Reporting notes

We checked the Pride of Britain winner page and Yahoo News UK's list of 2026 winners, published on 19 October 2026. The half-million-pound figure is the society's total since 1961, not Walden's personal total. Pride of Britain says he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.

## Sources

- [Pride of Britain Awards · Barry Walden](https://prideofbritain.com/award-winner/2026-winners/barry-walden/): Official winner profile covering his singing, the Society of MICE and its fundraising.
- [Yahoo News UK · 19 October 2026](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/meet-incredible-pride-britain-award-200606655.html): Full list of 2026 winners and categories.

## Common questions

### What is the Society of MICE?

MICE stands for Men in Charitable Endeavour. The Hull group formed in 1961 and is modelled on the Grand Order of Water Rats, a show business charity. Its members perform at concerts to raise money for local causes.

### Which charities has Barry Walden supported?

Pride of Britain says the society supports local charities in Hull and the surrounding area, including food banks.

Primary source: [Pride of Britain Awards](https://prideofbritain.com/award-winner/2026-winners/barry-walden/)