Sheffield has plenty to be proud of, from its world-conquering sportsmen and women to the great bands it has produced, and the engineering firsts which made the city an industrial powerhouse.
These are some of our favourite moments from throughout Sheffield’s history, when the city’s achievements have made it sparkle on the national or international stage.
How many do you remember and which other moments do you think we should have included?
Sheffield has plenty to be proud of, from its world-conquering sportsmen and women to the great bands it has produced, and the engineering firsts which made the city an industrial powerhouse.
5. John Burkhill hits his 'Magic Million'
The legendary fundraiser John Burkhill is one of Sheffield's most remarkable people. After losing his wife June to cancer in 1992, a year after their daughter Karen tragically died during a routine operation, he set out to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support. He became a familiar sight around Sheffield, pushing his daughter's pram while wearing a bright green wig, and has completed more than 1,000 charity races. The whole city was thrilled for him when in 2023, aged 84, he finally achieved his goal of raising £1 million for Macmillan. Despite reaching his target, he is still pounding the streets to raise more money for charity, with no plans to put his feet up just yet. Photo: Dean Atkins
The boys from High Green enjoyed a spectacular rise to fame and have gone on to become one of Sheffield's most successful musical exports. In 2006, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, became the fastest-selling debut album in British chart history at the time. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA
Jessica Ennis-Hill, who grew up in the Highfield area of Sheffield, is one of Britain's greatest ever athletes. Her home city swelled with pride as the heptathlete claimed gold at the London 2012 Olympics and silver in Rio four years later, as well as powering her way to three world titles. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
8. 'Love letter to Sheffield' named best new musical
Standing at the Sky's Edge tells the story of modern British history through the lives of residents at Sheffield's famous Park Hill flats. The play, written by Chris Bush and featuring the music of Richard Hawley, premiered at the Crucible in 2019 and has since transferred to London's West End following a stint at the National Theatre. Described as a love letter to Sheffield, it was hailed by the Daily Express as the 'best British musical in decades' and in 2023 won both Best New Musical and Best Original Score at the Olivier Awards. Photo: Johan Persson
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