Pint-sized fundraiser Jack Henderson is in the running to add yet another prestigious award to his already overflowing trophy cabinet.
The big-hearted seven-year-old from Prestonpans in East Lothian is up for the honour of Young Fundraiser of the Year at this year’s annual JustGiving awards ceremony. JustGiving is the UK’s most popular online fundraising platform.
Generous Jack decided to start raising funds for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) when his little brother Noah was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Between March and November last year, the talented youngster drew anything requested of him in exchange for donations to SKFF – and he particularly loved to draw hedgehogs, his favourite animal. His initial target was £100, but thanks to word of mouth and print, broadcast and social media, the word spread around the globe and back again, and Jack raised over a staggering £32,000.
Jack said: “I am really happy to have made it to the final of the JustGiving Awards. I still can’t believe how many people have asked for drawings and how much money I raised! It took a long time to do the drawings and I was quite tired at the end of it but it was worth it to raise so much money. I hope it helped a lot of people. I can’t wait to go to London for the awards ceremony, it will be very exciting.”
Maureen Harrison, Chief Executive of SKFF, said everyone at the Foundation is delighted Jack is being recognised for all his hard work.
She added: “We have all got our fingers crossed that Jack wins this highly prestigious award, which will sit very nicely alongside his other trophies.
“Jack is such a hard-working, generous child who deserves all the recognition he is getting. At the end of last year we presented Jack with our own special award to commemorate his tremendous achievement in completing 500 drawings and raising more than £30,000, an incredible amount of money especially considering his initial target was to raise £100 for the charity!
“Since hedgehogs are all hibernating at this time of year, we thought it would be nice for Jack to have one of his favourite animals in the garden all year round as a reminder of his fantastic contribution to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.
“He is truly an inspiring child.”
Jack and his dad will travel south on Thursday 1 March to attend the prestigious red carpet awards ceremony held at Shoreditch Town Hall in London.
Alongside Jack, the STV Charitable Trust and former Scotland international footballer Bob Wilson have also been recognised for their fundraising achievements over the past year. STV is a finalist in the Mobile Fundraiser of the Year category, and Bob Wilson is a finalist in the Celebrity Fundraiser of the Year category.
For the full shortlist for each of the award categories, further information about the Awards or how to donate through JustGiving, please visit www.justgivingawards.com or call the JustGiving Awards helpline on 0845 123 7588.
