FINALIST
Jake & Logan
Raised +£9,000 on JustGiving for Leukaemia UK
Brothers Jake and Logan rallied together to support their late dad during his treatment for Leukaemia – running 100KM in March between them.
Jake & Logan’s story
Jake (9) and Logan’s (7) daddy Luke was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of 13.
After a few of years of receiving blood and platelet transfusions, intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant and finally a bone marrow transplant, Luke was in remission. He then went on to meet and marry mum, Kirsty, and the pair were blessed with Jake, Logan, and Bella (their labradoodle).
Tragically, after 17 years of being in remission, in November 2023, Luke was admitted to hospital with pneumonia – and his blood tests showed that his Leukaemia had come back. He endured one round of chemotherapy, which unfortunately didn’t affect the leukaemia cells.
The boys rallied together to support their daddy – deciding to take on the tremendous challenge of running 100km between them in March, to raise vital funds and awareness for Leukaemia UK. They hoped their hard-earned donations would help find kinder, more effective treatments for other patients, just like their dad.
The brothers completed their tough 31 day challenge on the 31st of March, raising over £9,000 for the cause and making their daddy proud. Devastatingly, the leukaemia spread to Luke’s brain. Just 22 days after the boys’ last run, their daddy passed away, his family by his side.
More about Jake & Logan
DOING THEIR DAD PROUD
Jake and Logan’s dad Luke said he ‘couldn’t put into words’ how proud he was of his sons. When he was struggling, his sons kept his spirits high.
RAISING AWARENESS
When watching Family Fortunes together, Jake asked if just anyone could fundraise for charity. When mum Kirsty confirmed they could, the boys vowed to raise as much money and awareness as they could.
MEDIA-SAVVY
The boys even have their own YouTube channel, which they used to share their progress throughout their month-long challenge.
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FINALIST
Carmela Chillery-Watson
Raised +£35,000 on JustGiving for Muscular Dystrophy UK
10-year-old Carmela empowers other young children just like her with her fashion-forward fundraising.
Carmela’s story
10-year-old Carmela is a happy, bright and funny little girl with a zest for life and a passion for fashion.
Carmela has Muscular Dystrophy, which prevents her from walking and using her arms efficiently. In future, her condition could put her at risk of heart and respiratory complications.
She has her sights set on her lifelong dream of being a model – and she’s no stranger to a cat walk. But at the top of her list of ambitions, she wants to be seen on a high street shop poster, to help inspire inclusive fashion and other young children just like her.
Despite her condition and the daily obstacles she faces, Carmela is full of determination and has an unwavering desire to inspire others. She wants to help children like herself feel seen, included and confident in themselves – on and off the cat walk.
Over 6 years of dedicated fundraising, Carmela has driven up over £400K of donations for Muscular Dystrophy UK. She’s hosted fashion shows, sporting events and bake sales – all in the hopes of finding a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.
Not only that, but she’s the main character of her mum’s book, aptly named ‘Wonder Girl’ – from which all proceeds go to Muscular Dystrophy UK.
More about Carmela
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Carmela is no stranger to doing good. She’s been fundraising since she was only 4 years old!
PASSION FOR FASHION
Carmela first hit the cat walk at Bristol Fashion Show at just 5-years-old, another two times after that. She loves soaking up the attention and the atmosphere and raising money for children just like her.
COMPASSION
Carmela visits her local care home once a month to do fun activities with the residents, and also coaches online physio exercises for others around the world.
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FINALIST
William Reckless
Raised +£7,000 on JustGiving for Nottingham University Hospitals Charity
William completed a huge 4-mile challenge to raise money for the hospital that saved his life after he developed sepsis at just 3 years old.
William’s story
At just 3 years old, William developed sepsis, and was devastatingly close to losing his life.
Thanks to the incredible care and expertise of staff at Kingsmill Hospital and Queens Medical Centre, he pulled through – but the sepsis caused irreversible damage to his body. He underwent intensive surgery to amputate both of his legs and nine of his fingers, which marked the start of his gradual recovery.
Just 4 years since his amputations, William is making amazing progress, and is stronger and more motivated than ever before. His recovery has been a rollercoaster – he often needs new prosthetics, time off of his legs, and even underwent a further amputation on his left knee in 2022.
Despite this, William’s bravery and determination has been unwavering. To give back to the hospital that saved his life, he decided to take on a huge, physically demanding fundraising challenge.
William walked two miles – and handcyled two more in just one day. Up until the day of the challenge, he had only ever managed to walk 1.2 miles. But in true sibling fashion, he was spurred on by little sister Georgia, who has been his biggest motivator and helper since day one. William went on to raise over £7,000 for the Nottingham University Hospital Charity.
More about William
COMMUNITY IMPACT
The money William raises will go towards improvements to facilities such as play areas and family rooms across the hospital and its new neonatal unit.
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
William’s super smart, and even known as a ‘Mini David Attenborough’, because of his love of animal facts!
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The money William raises will make such a difference to other children just like him, and parents like his Mum and Dad, Gemma and Mike, too.
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