2021 Winner
Freddie Xavi and Hughie Higginson
Best pals inspired the nation with an incredible fundraising challenge
WHEN his best friend was diagnosed with leukaemia, Freddie Xavi was determined to show his support.
The nine-year-old took on a charity challenge in aid of the hospital treating pal Hughie Higginson – running 2km a day for 50 days, finishing on Christmas Day.
This selfless act of solidarity captured hearts across Britain and by the time Freddie crossed the line – hand-in-hand with ten-year-old Hughie – they had raised more than £168,000.
Now the boys’ determination to help patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has earned them the Pride of Manchester Young Fundraiser award – with TV presenter Dan Walker surprising them on Hughie’s 11th birthday.
Hughie, from Higham, Lancashire, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2020 and began three years of treatment on the hospital’s Ward 84.
The football and drama-mad schoolboy wanted to give back to the hospital’s charity, so he prepared to do their Humphrey’s Lantern Walk. But on the day, he was too ill to join schoolfriends taking part.
When Freddie, now ten, from Whalley, was told about his mate’s illness and the gruelling therapy that lay ahead, he vowed to do whatever he could to keep his spirits up.
Freddie’s mum Sarah Ronnan, 32, said: “He was really quiet at first and thought it was unfair. But when he heard Hughie’s schoolfriends were doing a walk, he wondered how he could help too.
“Hughie is a very positive, lively person and he would have done the same in this situation.”
The sporty youngster came up with the idea of running 2km, the same as the Junior Parkruns he completes on Sundays – but doing it daily for 50 days.
Sarah said: “When he told us, we thought it was a big challenge, especially with the weather being so cold.
“But there was no stopping him. There was not a day when he didn’t want to get out for his run, even doing it before football training. He is the kind of boy that will finish it if he says he’s going to do it.”
As word of his challenge and their inspiring friendship started to spread, his JustGiving page was deluged with donations.
Sarah said: “It started to snowball. We updated our page every day with pictures and people enjoyed being able to follow it, especially during lockdown.
“Freddie knew Hughie was checking every day, so he was glad to provide him with a distraction during the treatment.”
On Christmas Day, Freddie completed his 100km challenge live on BBC Breakfast before he’d even opened his presents.
Hughie summoned all his strength to join his mate on the final stretch so they could cross the line together.
Hughie said: “I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Christmas morning. Freddie not only helped me get through chemo but he made those days good ones.”
Hughie has also raised £9,000 on his own JustGiving page, and the hospital estimates other fundraising inspired by his story brings the total to more than £200,000.
Georgia Sleigh from the hospital charity said: “Freddie and Hughie are just incredible – words just don’t do justice to how inspiring they both are.”
The boys have chosen to use the cash to buy a life-saving blood transfusion machine and they will also fund music therapy for patients, provide fresh fruit and orange juice on the ward, and a slushie machine to soothe their throats.
Hughie’s mum Katy, 43, said: “The fundraising has been a brilliant distraction for Hughie, especially at a time when we can’t see people. The amount of support from complete strangers has been unbelievable.
“Even though he is going through so many rounds of hard chemo, he has told us so many times how lucky he is – that people are willing to donate and that he has a friend like Freddie.
“Freddie is such a wonderful boy. He’s quite shy compared to Hughie and when they were mascots at Burnley a few years ago, Hughie took him under his wing. Now he is being strong for Hughie.
“It’s a lovely silver lining on a very dark cloud and this time would have been a lot harder without it.”