Young fundraiser lauded by Cheryl
STAR ON HAND TO PRESENT HIS PRIDE OF BRITAIN GONG
GEORDIE singer Cheryl beamed as she presented the award for Good Morning Britain’s Young Fundraiser at the starstudded Pride of Britain Awards 2019.
The former Girls Aloud star congratulated terminally ill nine-year-old Aaron Hunter, who is on a mission to raise thousands of pounds so other children won’t suffer.
Aaron has ROHHAD, an extremely rare and complex disease that affects the function of every system and organ within the body.
There are only 100 known cases worldwide, 12 of them in the UK.
Sufferers face a daily fight for survival and many die before their teens. And Aaron is determined to help them, and make sure others don’t have to suffer like him.
When doctors confirmed he had ROHHAD in January 2015, there was no test to diagnose it, little research into the illness and, critically, no cure.
Months after diagnosis, Aaron and his family founded the ROHHAD Association to raise awareness and money for research, as well as to offer support to other families. So far they have raised £310,000.
After seeing the Ice Bucket Challenge for motor neurone disease on the news,
Aaron came up with the Muddy Puddle Challenge.
The eight-year-old, from Balloch, by Loch Lomond, Scotland, made a video calling on his favourite superhero, Ironman, played by Robert Downey Jr, to help.
The actor was so inspired by Aaron’s selflessness and desire to help others, he flew to Britain to meet him – and jump in a muddy puddle in a “See You Jimmy” hat. Robert said: “As I got to know Aaron more, I just got caught up in the spirit of his desire to help others.”
Aaron received his award from Cheryl at the Pride of Britain Awards in London on Monday.
The 36-year-old joined the likes of Carol Vorderman, Simon Cowell and Frank Lampard at the event.
Pride of Britain celebrates extraordinary people from across Britain who have shown incredible bravery and spirit. The winners are nominated by members of the public. The awards will be broadcast on November 5.