Speaker tells young fund-raisers: "I am so proud of you."
1 November 2021
Two best friends who raised an incredible £220,000 for a hospital charity after one of them was diagnosed with cancer have been treated to a tour of Speaker’s House.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle was so inspired by Lancashire-lads Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi’s story at an award ceremony in Blackpool, he invited them to Parliament.
Hughie, 11, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last September and began treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Eager to show his appreciation to the doctors and nurses who cared for him, he signed up for the hospital charity’s fundraising walk.
But when he was too ill to take part, his friend Freddie,10, decided to take up the challenge by running two kilometres a day in the 50 days up to Christmas – with the pair running across the finishing line together on Christmas morning.
Since then, the duo have won numerous accolades for their efforts, including BBC Radio Lancashire’s Make a Difference Award, and the Pride of Manchester Award.
But it was the day after they received the Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser Award in London, the pair took up Mr Speaker’s invitation to visit him in Parliament.
Sir Lindsay told the football-mad duo: "I am so proud of you, your story of friendship and everything you have achieved – it is nothing short of incredible."
Katy Higginson, Hughie’s mum, said the boys’ fund-raising efforts had been a welcome distraction to her son, "when he was feeling poorly and having a horrible time" during his chemotherapy treatment.
"People were inspired by the boys’ friendship, and Hughie looked forward to the interviews and hearing updates from Freddie – it did him a power of good," she said.
Sarah Ronnan, Freddie’s mum, said: "We have had an unbelievable experience, especially after the awards’ ceremony in London – and we are so grateful to Sir Lindsay for making this happen."