‘It’s only words..’ as Lewis gets a surprise
THIS was the amazing moment when pop star Ronan Keating made a surprise phone call to a brave Southport boy who’s undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
The Boyzone star called 12-year-old Lewis Wright after being wowed by a video of him singing.
Lewis, a pupil at Birkdale High School in Southport, was diagnosed with leukaemia, a form of blood cancer, in July.
He is currently undergoing his second gruelling round of chemotherapy at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool.
But despite everything life has thrown at Lewis this year, he is well known for his love of life, his love of music and his amazing positivity.
His proud mum, Kayleigh Sherran, said: “OMG - when you’re casually sat outside the hospital, your phone rings and it’s Ronan Keating wanting to speak to Lewis and tell him how amazing his singing video is and how proud he is of him and the way he’s dealing with his treatment!
“What a truly lovely guy he is. Lewis was so overwhelmed.” It was a secret which Kayleigh tried hard to keep.
The call was arranged by Southport good Samaritan Sheryl Flint who wanted to help cheer
Lewis up.
Kayleigh said: “We knew Ronan Keating was going to call but didn’t know when. Sheryl Flint organised it through Twitter, posting about Lewis’ journey with a video of him singing.
“I couldn’t believe it when Ronan Keating actually rang!
“He asked to speak to Lewis straight away, asking how he was, saying how he had seen his video of him singing and he thought it was brilliant.
“He then told him how brave he was and to carry on using music to help him get through his treatment.
“He also spoke about how he is currently working on The One Show but he would like to do a duet with Lewis via a Zoom call in the future.
“It was an unreal experience that Lewis will never forget. He was so overwhelmed!”
Lewis’ Aunty, Louise
McHugh, is incredibly proud of his courage.
She said: “We all keep saying to Lewis – ‘keep going – you are the strongest kid we know’.
“Lewis is still smiling, still singing and he is still Mr Positive!”
Lewis’ family are asking firms to donate raffle prizes, and local people to buy raffle tickets, in the appeal for him. If anyone can help Louise please call her on 07734316321 or email Lewisraffleaml@ hotmail.com or visit the Facebook page Lewis Wright raffle Aml Leukaemia.
SEFTON is among 274 councils which will receive emergency funding, the Housing Secretary has announced.
Sefton Council will receive £522,561 to provide accommodation for people at risk of homelessness as part of the Government’s commitment to end rough sleeping.
During the height of the pandemic, the Government launched an incredible national effort that found secure accommodation for the vast majority of rough sleepers, helping to protect lives and prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
They are now building on that progress with
£91.5 million for councils to provide ongoing support and emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.
This includes helping people into the private rented sector, securing interim accommodation such as supported housing, and assessing the wider support these people need in order to rebuild their lives.
Southport MP Damien Moore said: “This funding will ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have safe accommodation and the care and support they need, to ensure as few as possible return to the streets.
“I am delighted to see the Government commit more than half a million pounds to help rough sleepers and vulnerable people in Southport and elsewhere in the borough who need and deserve our support.”