When Harry met Maddison – via video call
DUKE MAKES SURPRISE VISIT TO ONLINE MEETING OF INSPIRING YOUNGSTERS
A GIRL who won a national award for her inspiring story has had a surprise video meeting with Prince Harry.
Maddison Sherwood, 12, from Loughborough, has spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress, which means she needs help from a ventilator.
She won a national Inspirational Child prize for those aged three By NICK to six at the WellChild DAWSON Awards 2014.
Maddison was taking part in a video call recently with other previous winners when they were joined by the Duke of Sussex, a patron of WellChild since 2007.
He asked Maddison about how this year has been with the coronavirus restrictions and being stuck at home.
She told him: “It’s been quite boring, but I’ve been able to spend lots of time with my family and things like that.”
When Harry asked her who she would like to nominate for a WellChild Award, she suggested her mum, Lidia, which he said was a perfect answer.
The group spoke about how important the awards are for raising awareness of youngsters who have long-term illnesses and how they encourage children in similar situations to know they are not alone.
The Prince said: “The children and young people of WellChild are at the very heart of this charity because you guys just know who you are and don’t pretend to be anybody else and because of that you inspire every single nurse, every single care giver, every single mum, every single dad, every single sibling.
“And outside of the WellChild community as well you are inspiring people every single day.”
Showjumper Evie Toombes, who has spina bifida, also took part in the video catch-up and spoke about how exciting it was to receive her award.
She said she remembered “how positive the evening was and how it was a celebration of everything we can do and I think all of us need to focus on that.
“I have definitely carried that through and continue to carry it through.”
She said of the award winners: “It gives them the confidence to continue trying, to know that they can do it and to have such a positive experience at the awards. It means they can carry on through whatever they are doing, inspire other people, perhaps help other people and continue to lead a really wonderful life.
“I think it’s not just that one night, it is the start of continuing to give them the confidence and encouragement for the rest of their lives.”
If you know someone who deserves recognition, you can nominate them for a WellChild Award on the charity website or by calling 01242 530007.
The closing date for entries is, December 31, at midnight.