Brave Erin’s a BGT VIP
down by special minibus with some other children with life threatening illnesses from the Le s Ho e y MBE Dre am m a k e r Foundation.
Thrilled Erin presented Simon with a cuddly toy bear wearing a kilt and gifted the other judges some tasty Tunnock’s tea cake treats.
In return they allowed her to press one of their big red buzzers, which they use to boot duff acts off the show.
Erin said: “I think it’s an amazing programme, and I watch it every year.
“I never miss it. I love Simon Cowell and find him pretty funny with how straightforward he is.
“Ant and Dec are so hilarious and it was so surreal meeting Simon in person. “I was completely star struck. “He was different to how imagined.
“I also loved being part of the audience, and it was weird being there when I’m so used to just watching it on TV.”
Erin, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in October 2015 after a short time of feeling unwell, is on the maintenance stage of her treatment just now.
She said: “My treatment now is less intense, giving me a great chance to start recovering. I’m doing relatively well now, a lot better than at the start.
“This trip was a great opportunity, one I would never get if it
Iwasn’t for Les’ Charity.
“It was great to have some freedom and it was a great day out. It was a great journey down.
“Personally, I wouldn’t like to go on BGT as I’m quite a shy person so I’d rather just be the spectator.
“It was lovely experiencing this and spending time away from the hospital. “I’d like to thank Les Hoey and everything he does for young people like me.
“He has given us so many opportunities and the chance to do fun things and for that I will be forever grateful.”
Les said: “A trip like this makes a difference especially when kids are at the end of their treatment. It was lovely meeting Simon.”
Hard- working Les is one of Scotland’s leading charitable workers. He was inspired to help after his own daughter Shelley was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Shelley survived and is now a charity fund-raiser herself.