WINNER
Jonathan Bailey
Raised +£38,000 on JustGiving for MND Scotland and Just Like Us
Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey climbed the Three Peaks in just 24 hours, all in honour of his friend Gordon, who tragically lost his life to Motor Neurone Disease.
Jonathan’s story
Bridgerton star, Jonathan Bailey is no stranger to using his platform for good.
In 2017, he tragically lost his close friend Gordon to Motor Neurone Disease (MND), at just 31 years old. The neurological condition weakened Gordon’s muscles so he wasn’t able to walk or feed himself. In other cases, people with MND can also lose their ability to talk or breathe unaided. So far, doctors haven’t been able to find a cure.
After his diagnosis, Gordon dedicated himself to raising money and campaigning to fund medical research into MND. Jonathan was inspired by his efforts and promised to fundraise in his name until scientists could find a cure for this horrific disease.
Gordon did incredible work raising money and campaigning to fund medical research after his diagnosis. We will continue to fundraise in his name until scientists have found a cure.
- Jonathan Bailey
Honouring Gordon with every step, Jonathan took on the Three Peaks Challenge: climbing the highest peaks in Wales (Snowdon), England (Scafell Pike) and Scotland (Ben Nevis), all within 24 hours. He raised over £2,000 for MND Scotland.
Since then, Jonathan has gone on to champion other causes, including Just Like Us, a charity that works with thousands of schools and young people right across the UK to make sure everyone know that being LGBTQ+ is something to be celebrated.
This year, he ran the Hackney Half Marathon, raising over £33,000 for the cause, and making a difference to the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
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FINALIST
Shirley Ballas
Raised +£51,000 on JustGiving for Campaign for Living Miserably (CALM)
Shirley Ballas ditched the dancefloor and faced her fear of heights, taking on a zipline, a wing walk, AND a skydive to help stop more lives being lost to suicide.
Shirley’s story
Last summer, Head Strictly Judge, Shirley Ballas ditched the dance floor and faced her fear of heights by taking on a zip line, a wing walk, AND a skydive – all to help stop more lives being lost to suicide.
Shirley took to the skies to raise funds for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a mental health charity. All in memory of her brother, who tragically lost his life to suicide.
[CALM is] here to help more people see tomorrow, to show that things can change - and the money I raise will be vital in helping them save more lives.
- Shirley Ballas
“I’ve lost my brother, I’ve lost close friends and I don’t want anyone else to go through that pain. The devastating news is that 18 people in the UK take their own life every day. But CALM exists to change that.”
Shirley took on the fastest zip line in the world, soaring for 1.5km over Penrhyn Quarry. Following this was a wing walk, flying up to 110mph whilst strapped to the rig of an aeroplane. She finished her grand challenge by skydiving from 13,000 feet. Her bravery made a real difference, raising over £50,000 to support those struggling with their mental health.
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FINALIST
Fatima Whitbread
Raised +£19,000 on JustGiving
World record holder and Olympic medalist Fatima Whitbread set up her own campaign to support children and young people in the care system.
Fatima’s story
Gold-medal Olympian Fatima Whitbread is no stranger to a challenge. Recently, she’s been dedicating her time and efforts to supporting children and young people in the care system.
Fatima is drawing on her lived experience of the care systems – using her platform and past to create a nationwide campaign to amplify the voices of children and young people, ensuring that they are heard and valued in settings where decisions about their lives are being made.
Fatima and her team work with families, schools, and councils to provide exciting and positive activities, education, and experience for children in care, so they can go on to lead a safe and fulfilling life.
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