Ever since best friends Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi received their Pride of Britain Award nominations, almost a year ago, their lives have been, in their words, “bonkers”.
First there was the shock of receiving trophies from Dan Walker at the Pride of Manchester awards which were hosted by Kym Marsh.
Then Ant and Dec jumped out at them from a red phone box at the I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge in Manchester and surprised them with invitations to the Pride of Britain Awards in London.
At the ceremony, watched by millions of ITV viewers, the pair were hailed Good Morning Britain’s Young Fundraisers of the Year and collected their awards from Sir Mo Farrah and rapper KSI before mingling with stars like Holly Willoughby, Simon Cowell and Sharon Stone.
The boys, from Ribble Valley, Lancashire, have since won hearts with their TV and radio interviews, received heroes’ receptions at school and even been recognised in the street.
Speaking ahead of nominations for this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, opening today, Freddie, 11, says: “Everything’s been crazy since we won Pride of Britain. We still can’t believe stars like Sir Rod Stewart asked for a picture with us at the ceremony - we thought we’d be asking them.
“We’ve done so many TV interviews we don’t get nervous anymore. And when I went back to school, my form group made a tunnel with their arms for me and gave me big cheers. Me and my dad have even been recognised in the street. It’s been bonkers.”
Hughie, 12, says: “We made new friends with the other winners and we’re all still in touch. We all say Pride of Britain doesn’t feel real because its was so brilliant.
“Our trophies are on the top shelves in our rooms because the top shelves represent our top priorities. And we’re still fundraising - we still have a lot of work to do.”
Lancashire lads Freddie, from Whalley, and Hughie, from Higham, raised a staggering £220,000 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
That’s where Hughie has been receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since September 2020.
To say thank you to the staff who cared for him so attentively, he signed up for the hospital’s charity’s fundraising walk. But on the day was too ill to take part, so Freddie devised his own fundraising challenge and ran 2km every day in the 50 days before Christmas.
He completed the final 2km on Christmas morning, pounding the streets before opening his presents. Hughie summoned all his strength to join his mate on the final stretch so they could cross the line together, hand-in-hand.
“Everyone kept saying they were proud of us and that we had done a really nice, special thing,” says Freddie, remembering the Pride of Britain awards again.
“Both our dads were teary-eyed when we came off stage and there were lots of big hugs. It was nice to see our parents so proud. All the people we met were so nice. And the best bit was having each other there.”
Hughie still can’t get over how many treats he enjoyed since receiving the nomination. “We got to pick cool suits together and loved wearing them. We went down to London and Pride of Britain gave us a list of places to go and we picked the Sea Life centre. We had a big winners’ dinner the night before the ceremony. Having celebrities wanting to see us and say congratulations at the ceremony was mad.
“Afterwards we were invited to the Houses of Parliament and were in the room where the Queen slept before her coronation. The Speaker Lindsay Hoyle gave us a tour and we were in the Chambers, and he said whenever we came to London we could give him a call.
“Back at school I was given chocolate, balloons and cards. There were so many nice things I wouldn’t have done if it wasn’t for Pride of Britain and I can hardly remember them all.”
Hughie still faces another two years of leukaemia treatment. But he lets nothing get in the way of his fundraising - and of course Freddie is right beside him every step of the way.
Hughie says: “I take chemo pills every day. But once a month I have a line in and steroids which make me a bit sick and emotional so that’s a tough week.
“But I think I’m doing all right, I’m more mobile and I’m back at school. And me and Freddie have work to do because we wanted to do something together.”
The boys started Freddie and Hughie’s 100km Football Challenge on Boxing Day and set up a JustGiving account to help children’s hospitals around the country.
Freddie says: “We’re running around all 92 Premier League and English Football League football grounds. We started at our beloved Turf Moor, Burnley. And we’re going to do more grounds to make it 100 so we run 100km which is a bit of a nod to my first 100km.
“We give the money raised to whichever children’s hospital is nearest to the football ground. We’ve done seven so far so only 93 to go.”
This year the boys will start secondary school together but there is a downside to being well known. “Because lots of people know our faces, we won’t be able to get away with any trouble,” says Hughie. “That’s the thing about fame.”
Nominate now at prideofbritain.com/nominate
Who should win a Pride of Britain Award 2022?
You can nominate anyone of any age for a Pride of Britain Award. It may be for a single act of incredible courage, a long-lasting battle against the odds, or for inspirational campaigning.
Please choose what you feel to be the most suitable category from the list below. Don’t worry if you’re not sure - some nominees may fit in more than one category, so the Pride of Britain team will make sure all nominations are considered for the most appropriate award.
Winners will be chosen by the Pride of Britain judging panel, from a shortlist produced by the Pride of Britain research team, who will consider every public nomination received.
Here are the categories:
TSB COMMUNITY HERO AWARD
For someone who goes to remarkable lengths to help others lead their best life.
ITV FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
For tireless and inspirational charity fundraising, aged 18 and over.
GOOD MORNING BRITAIN YOUNG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
To reward a young person aged 17 and under for inspirational charity work.
THIS MORNING EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD
For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty.
OUTSTANDING BRAVERY
For adults who risk their own safety to to help others in danger.
CHILD/TEENAGER OF COURAGE
For battling against the odds to help others, or putting themselves at risk to save someone in danger.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
For achievements not covered in other categories, such as inspiring carers, campaigners and members of armed forces.
