2024 Winner
Jacob Newson
Schoolboy has taken on a series of charity challenges to raise more than £150,000 in memory of his mum.
Jacob Newson was just seven when his mum Andrea passed away, aged 49, in December 2020. The big-hearted youngster, now 10, wanted to repay some of the help and kindness he and dad Andy had received from their local hospice in Leeds – so he set about devising and tackling a series of fundraising challenges. Jacob says: “I remember the people that helped Mummy and I just want to do something for them.” Dad Andy adds: “I remember him saying he was the only boy in the world who had lost his mum.
“The hospice brought him together with other bereaved children to talk about their experiences which helped him realise he wasn’t alone. “They have been absolutely fantastic. He’s been amazing at coping, with support from his school and particularly from the hospice who do wonderful things with bereaved children.”
Nicknamed Jacob the Pilot because of his love of planes and flying, he worked with the RAF Regiment to complete their gruelling assault course. He has also climbed mountains, including Ben Nevis, and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge wearing his mini RAF flying suit.
In May 2023 Jacob climbed the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal in Morocco, a four-day trek to the 13,671ft summit. In July this year he walked across the Pyrenees from France to Spain. In total, he has walked hundreds of miles to raise more than £150,000 for St Gemma’s Hospice and the RAF Benevolent Fund. And he has no intention of stopping, already planning another fundraising challenge for next year. Andy says: “He’s amazing, he never gives up.
“He’s been clear he wants to keep going. I don’t think he fully comprehends just how much he has raised. “He just wants to keep helping the hospice and the RAF Benevolent Fund. “He also loves going on these adventures and it’s quality time for us, time where we can talk.
“Being outdoors and exercise is good too, he’s so fit it’s got to the point I struggle to keep up with him. “I feel quite emotional about Jacob winning a Pride of Britain award. His mum would be so proud, there would be lots of tears. Jacob says: “I just want to make Mummy happy in heaven.”