RHIAN MANNINGS
From Captain Sir Tom Moore to a heroic police officer, these individuals’ hope-filled stories are an inspiration
IN February 2012, Rhian was playing with her one-year-old son George while her husband Paul was downstairs making a cup of tea. Baby George suffered a sudden seizure. The couple frantically called 999 and George was rushed to hospital by ambulance. But despite the best efforts of staff at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, he passed away shortly after arriving.
It was later discovered he had been suffering from bronchial pneumonia and Type A Influenza.
Rhian recalled: “We were given a booklet, escorted back down to A&E and then out into
After the unimaginable tragedy of losing her son and husband within five days, Rhian set up a groundbreaking charity to help others through their own grief
the night. Our whole world had been turned on its head and we were just left.
“Paul was struggling and blamed himself. He kept saying that he was his daddy and he should have saved him.”
Unable to cope with the loss of his son, and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, five days later Paul, 33, took his own life. Rhian could barely function for months. The turning point came when she launched 2 Wish Upon pon A Star, to support others suffering from the sudden loss oss of a child or young person, son, giving them the help lp she and Paul never had. d.
It is now working with almost every accident ent and emergency unit it in Wales and operates family rooms in hospitals, to provide a private place of comfort and support after sudden bereavement. It also works with police forces, offers counselling and support to those who have lost someone suddenly, and those who have witnes witnessed a sudden death, and helps hundreds of p people every year.
Rhian was delighted d to be recognis recognised with a Pride of B Britain award. ““To receive this aw award now, when t there are so ma many people out th there doing incre incredible thing things, is very spec special. It is still
hard to believe that just eight years ago there was not any kind of support for families like us. Had there been, I believe Paul would still be here now.
“We remember George and talk about him all the time. I haven’t moved on, but I have managed to move forwards.”
Rhian was surprised with her award in a hotel restaurant by Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, who was disguised as a waiter.
She said: “He had a mask on and was spilling drinks everywhere. I thought it quite odd. So did my children Holly, 12, and Isaac, 11. I looked closer and suddenly I saw it was Michael Sheen. To say I was shocked is an understatement.”
CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE SPECIAL RECOGNITION Centenarian inspired Britain and the world with a walking challenge, raising over £38million for NHS charities
IN March, Captain Tom set off to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday the following month.
He hoped to raise £1,000 in tribute to the hospital staff who had cared for him during treatment for cancer.
Within days, his efforts had caught the imagination of people from every corner of the country and beyond.
By the time he completed his walk, he had raised more than £32million – with the total still rising – and created a movement of people determined to follow his mantra that “tomorrow will be a good day”.
He was also knighted by the Queen in July, in her first public engagement since lockdown began, in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle.
We surprised Captain Tom with the news he is a Pride of Britain winner on Good Morning Britain. He was being interviewed by hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about his 100th birthday when
Pride of Britain host Carol Vorderman joined the video call to share the news.
Stars also lined up to pay tribute to his efforts in a special film, including actors Dame
Julie Walters and Michael
Sheen and sporting heroes
Katherine Jenkins
Anthony Joshua, Harry
Kane and Joe Root.
In Sunday’s show, you can see the magical moment Captain Tom received his trophy from some of the children he inspired to raise money, and singing icon Katherine Jenkins.
He said afterwards: “It feels absolutely amazing. I am totally in awe of this award, it is such a prestigious one.
“The children are marvellous, I think they are all absolutely brilliant. It is great to see the children raising money for their chosen charities and they are all such wonderful characters, it is a delight to see.”
He added: “I certainly have no plans to stop anytime soon, I’m not done yet, not by a long chalk. The compassion and love that I have been shown from far and wide has given me renewed purpose and re-energised me.
“Through The Captain Tom Foundation my family and I have a mission to inspire hope where it is needed most. I do hope we can continue to inspire others as together we have a real chance to ensure that tomorrow will be a good day.”