AN INSPIRATIONAL toddler who suffers from a life-limiting disease has won a prestigious award for his remarkable fund-raising efforts.
Three-year-old Charlie Hollingworth, from Malvern Wells, scooped a Midlands Children’s Courage Award (MCCA) at a glitzy ceremony on Friday (October 23) after raising more than £2,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice earlier this year.
Charlie has suffered from a Mitochondrial Disease since being born which means he experiences moments that stop him from breathing.
It also affects his overall growth and strength development.
His older brother Louis had the same condition and died aged one in 2009.
To help increase Charlie’s mobility he received a walking frame after Christmas last year, but while it helped him to walk independently, he had only managed to walk short distances because it was so physically exerting for him.
In April, his family set themselves a challenge to help Charlie with his development and to give back to Acorns Children’s Hospice which has supported them since Louis’ death.
Charlie took on a mammoth personal marathon – a 100-metre walk – using his new walking frame, at the Acorns Triple Run in Malvern in June.
However, thanks to incredible support from residents of Malvern and beyond, the family raised an amazing £2,160. Their original target was just £150.
The family in total have generated more than £5,000 for the charity which provides round the clock care for life-limited and life-threatened children and young people.
Following his efforts, Charlie has become hugely popular and is often spoken to by residents passing him when he is out and about with his family.
His mum, Katy Hollingworth, told The Observer seeing her son win the award was a moment she and her husband, Tony, will never forget.
“It was a lovely night and we are so so proud of Charlie – what he has done is a fantastic achievement,” she said.
“The awards night gave us a really good opportunity to thank everybody at Acorns for their support and thank all of our friends, family and even complete strangers who gave lots of money toward’s Charlie’s walk.
“It was really exciting for us to go to the ceremony and it was a big surprise to us to find out he won.”
Representatives from Acorns Children’s Hospice were also at the awards to see Charlie’s big night.
Louise Arnold, director of fund-raising and marketing at Acorns, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon for Charlie and his family. It was so moving to see him on stage and it’s wonderful that his achievements have been recognised in this way.
“I’m sure this award will stand as an inspiration to others to show their support for Acorns and the care that we provide to children like Charlie and their families.”
In its second year, the MCCA Awards attracted a record number of nominations for some truly inspirational children and young adults whose lives have often been affected by extreme illness and difficulty.
The ceremony was presented by CBBC Newsround presenters Ricky and Leah Boleto and raised more than £40,000 to a number of local and national charities.
WATCH a video of Charlie taking on his personal marathon earlier this summer at www.malvernobserver.co.uk.
