Prime Minister meets finalists of 'Britain's Kindest Kid'
12 October 2009
Four of the five children who have made it through to
the final round of the national search to find ‘Britain’s Kindest
Kid’, organised by Five News and the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)
met Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Five News presenter
Natasha Kaplinsky and Melinda Messenger who co-presents new Five
News programme Live From Studio Five, at Downing Street on
Wednesday 7 October.
Sadly, the fifth finalist, Tilly Griffiths from Staffordshire,
couldn’t make the trip as she is currently in hospital, but the
Prime Minister is keen for her to come and visit when she is well
enough. Footage from the visit will be shown on Five News at 5pm,
Monday 12 October 2009, where Gordon Brown is seen relaxed and
engaging with the children and even gives one, Marcus Durkin (aged
2), a high five at one point.
‘Britain’s Kindest Kid’, now in its second year, rewards the
charitable work of children aged 16 years and under, and applicants
need to demonstrate what they have done to support charities, help
others and to ‘make the world a better place’. The winner will
be announced live on Five News on Wednesday 14 October 2009
with a prize of £1,000 pocket money awarded to the winning child
and a further £1,000 in Charities Aid Foundation
vouchers for them to give to charities.
The five finalists in this year’s competition are:
Tilly Griffiths (aged 9), from Cheadleton,
Staffordshire, who, with her sister, has raised over £1.2 million
for Caudwell Children by selling her paintings. When Tilly
sold a butterfly collage at auction to buy a specialist wheelchair
for a friend, her inspiring speech sparked people into a bidding
frenzy. It sold for £330,000.
To vote for Tilly, call 0844 855 4541
Marcus Durkin (aged 2½), from Colburn, North
Yorkshire, raised £2,000 for Help For Heroes on Armed
Forces Day by going on a sponsored walk with his family. Marcus
wanted to get involved because his father is a soldier based in
Catterick, North Yorkshire.
To vote for Marcus, call 0844 855 4543
Harry Elson (aged 11), from West Derby,
Liverpool, cares for his mum who lives with the after effects of a
major stroke. He has been bullied at school, but he has dealt
with this by bringing leaflets, pictures and articles into school,
raising awareness and understanding about his mum’s condition among
his classmates. Additionally, Harry also works at a local
stroke communication support group and spends his spare time
raising money for the Stroke Association.
To vote for Harry, call 0844 855 4542
Katie Alicia Poole (aged 13), from Saltney,
Chester, is the daughter of foster carers who specialise in looking
after children who have had early life trauma. Katie supports
all the foster children and helps them to socialise. Katie was
also involved in setting up the local Stepping Stones
service with local authorities. This offers days out for foster
carers’ children to reward and support them and give them the
chance to meet other children whose families do the same thing.
To vote for Katie, call 0844 855 4544
Harry Moseley (aged 9), from Sheldon,
Birmingham, lives with an inoperable brain tumour, but this hasn’t
stopped him fundraising by making beaded bracelets and selling them
for Brain Tumour UK. Harry started fundraising for his 55 year
old friend who was in the hospital bed next to him and had the same
condition.
To vote for Harry, call 0844 855 4545
Five News’ Natasha Kaplinsky said: “Meeting these
incredible children who are giving something back to society at
such young ages is both inspirational and humbling. Every single
entrant should be congratulated for the good they are doing and the
difference they are making to the lives of others – and we are
looking forward to unveiling this year’s winner and hopefully
making a big difference to their lives.”
Phone lines are open until Tuesday 13 October at 12.30pm and
people can vote for their preferred winner by using the number
below. Five won't make any money from the calls.
Media contacts
Charities Aid Foundation
George Leigh
T: 03000 123272
E: gleigh@cafonline.org
Five News
Charlotte Dixon, Sky News
T: 020 7800 4341
Notes to Editors:
1. The Charities Aid Foundation is a charity set up to help
other charities by working with donors, companies and charities to
encourage and facilitate a culture of giving. They do this by
offering products and services that make giving easier and tax
efficient, and help charities to make the most of donations through
banking and fundraising support services.
2. Calls to above numbers cost 5 pence per minute from a BT
landline. Calls from other networks may vary and from mobiles will
cost considerably more.
3. Five won't make any money from the calls
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