St Giles Fundraiser Does The Midlands Proud at Pride of Britain Awards

A football coach who dribbled a ball 2,000 miles from Morocco to Staffordshire for St Giles Hospice has represented the West Midlands at the national Pride of Britain Awards.

James Lewis, from Rugeley, joined regional winners from across the country at the glitzy ceremony at Grosvenor House in London. He was one of 17 finalists in contention for the overall Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year award.

The national award went to Barry Walden, 85, from Hull, who has spent 65 years raising money for local charities through his singing with the Society of M.I.C.E.

James earned his place after being named West Midlands Fundraiser of the Year by ITV Central in September. The title recognised his 86 day challenge in memory of his father, who was cared for at St Giles Hospice when James was 11.

His JustGiving page now stands at £75,680, raised by 3,222 supporters from around the world. The total takes his lifetime fundraising for the hospice past £129,000 and makes him St Giles’s biggest ever individual fundraiser.

Since finishing the challenge, James has gone on to give talks in schools across Staffordshire, sharing his story with young people and inspiring them to be their best and push themselves to achieve great things.

James was joined on the night by Sam Colclough, Events Manager at St Giles Hospice, who has supported him throughout his fundraising.

“It was a fantastic night and one I’ll never forget,” James said. “Congratulations to Barry and all the finalists. Hearing their stories was humbling, and there are some remarkable people out there. I went to London representing the West Midlands, my dad and St Giles, and I’m proud I got to be there. The support from everyone back home in Rugeley has meant the world.”

Sam said the evening was a special moment for everyone at the hospice.

“We had a fabulous night, and it was a privilege to be there alongside James,” Sam said. “Seeing him on that red carpet after everything he went through over those 86 days was something none of us will forget. He’s done the Midlands proud, and everyone at St Giles is behind him for whatever he takes on next.”

Elinor Eustace, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, said James had represented the region and the hospice brilliantly.

“Everyone at St Giles is so proud of James,” she said. “To be one of the very best fundraisers in the country is a huge achievement, and he has carried the West Midlands flag with real pride. What James has done for our hospice, the families we care for and the young people he’s now inspiring in schools goes far beyond any award. Congratulations to Barry and to all the finalists. It’s been a privilege to share this journey with James.”

The Pride of Britain Awards will be shown on ITV1 and ITVX on Thursday 22 October at 8pm.

To support James’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/page/jameslewis26, or to find out more about fundraising for St Giles Hospice, visit www.stgileshospice.com