Rugeley man who dribbled football 2,000 miles for hospice reaches Pride of Britain Awards
James Lewis raised more than £75,000 for St Giles Hospice after dribbling a football from Morocco to Staffordshire in memory of his dad
A football coach from Rugeley has represented the West Midlands at the national Pride of Britain Awards after raising tens of thousands of pounds for a hospice through an extraordinary 2,000-mile challenge.
James Lewis joined regional winners from across the country at the ceremony at Grosvenor House in London, where he was one of 17 finalists for the 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 was named West Midlands Fundraiser of the Year by ITV Central in September, earning his place at the ceremony after completing an 86-day challenge in which he dribbled a football from Morocco to Staffordshire.
He took on the challenge in memory of his father, who was cared for by St Giles Hospice when James was 11.
His JustGiving page has now raised £75,680 from 3,222 supporters around the world. The total takes his lifetime fundraising for the hospice beyond £129,000, making him its biggest-ever individual fundraiser.
Since completing the challenge, James has also visited schools across Staffordshire to share his story with young people, encouraging them to push themselves and work towards their goals.
He attended the awards with Sam Colclough, events manager at St Giles Hospice, who supported him throughout his fundraising journey.
James said: “It was a fantastic night and one I’ll never forget. 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 it had been a special occasion for everyone at the hospice.
She said: “We had a fabulous night, and it was a privilege to be there alongside James. 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 charity brilliantly.
She said: “Everyone at St Giles is so proud of James. 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.”
The Pride of Britain Awards will be shown tonight (October 22) on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm.
To support James’s fundraising, visit justgiving.com/page/jameslewis26, or to find out more about fundraising for St Giles Hospice, visit stgileshospice.com