Lancashire’s young Pride of Britain winners, Hughie and Freddie, are continuing their 100km challenge this weekend and have called upon the help of the north west’s famous faces.
Hughie Higginson, from Burnley, and Freddie Xavi, from Whalley, will be heading to Bolton Wanderers' football stadium in Horwich this Saturday (29 January) to run 1km around the football pitch.
This is part of their new charity challenge which will see them tour the UK to run 1km around 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, raising even more money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity as well as other oncology wards around the country.
Ahead of the weekend they have called on the help of Bolton-born stars Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness, to see if they will accompany the boys on their run at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Vernon seemed eager to support the cause responding to their Tweet with: “Let’s get involved”.
Let’s get involved @OfficialBWFC https://t.co/JHkYZz1H7f
— Vernon Kay (@vernonkay) January 25, 2022
Hughie, 11, said it’s “crazy” that Vernon expressed interest in accompanying the pair on the run.
He said: “It’s going to be so fun and we are really excited to do this.
“We’re hoping to try and get a celebrity to run around with use at each ground. That will, hopefully, allow us to raise some more awareness.”
The young football fan said he has always loved the sport.
He said: “I’ve been having chemotherapy treatment so I’ve not been able to play football but I have just gone back to training and I’ve loved it since I was tiny.”
Hughie was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) in 2020 and began urgent treatment at the children’s hospital.
Determined to do something to support his friend, best pal Freddie set himself a challenge of running 2km every day in the 50 days leading up to Christmas Day 2020 – finishing his challenge live on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day morning.
They raised over £200,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and won a Pride Of Britain award and were announced as 2021’s Good Morning Britain Young Fundraisers.
In their new challenge, Hughie is now able to join his friend and get stuck into the runs.
Hughie said: “I wasn’t able to run with Freddie last time but now I can – we’re the real double act.
“It’ll be lots of travelling but it’s great that we’ll get to see all the different football grounds.”
While most children were indulging in chocolate and playing with their gifts on Boxing Day, the boys were at Burnley FC when they both started their new 100km challenge.
Joining them on their first morning run at Burnley was Radio 1 DJ Jordan North, who famously referred to Turf Moor as his “Happy Place” when he took part in I’m A Celebrity….Get Me Out of Here!
They ran around Walsall FC on New Year’s Day and Birmingham City on 2nd January.
Freddie’s mum, Sarah Ronan, said: “Wherever possible they’d like to do the run just before a game or during half-time, so they have the crowds there watching them. But of course, every football club has slightly different Covid rules and restrictions at the moment.”
Hughie’s mum, Katy Higginson, said the aim was to raise £1,000 for each of the 18 children’s oncology units dotted around the country. She explained: “We want them to be able to buy slushie pouches for the children. When the boys first started fundraising that was the first thing they wanted to buy for Hughie’s ward in Manchester.
“When Hughie was first diagnosed and going through the worst of his treatment slushies really helped soothe his throat. Some children get really bad ulcers from the chemo and sometimes they just want something cool to drink.”
Georgia Sleigh, the Charity’s Community Fundraising Officer, said: “When you look at the projects Hughie and Freddie want to fund, they stem from things Hughie has experienced himself.
"He understands more than anyone what an amazing difference these projects will make to the hospital and to children like him.
“Hughie and Freddie are so passionate about helping other children and every time I meet them or we video chat their enthusiasm is so humbling.
“I can’t wait to join them at a few of their Manchester-based stadium events – although I’ll probably leave the running to them!”
To donate to Hughie and Freddie’s fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/freddie-xavi or text FRIENDSHIP to 70450 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here