We are over the moon to announce that our very own supporter, the incredible Lydia Wilkinson, has been named as the West Midlands’ ‘ITV Fundraiser of the Year’ at the upcoming national Pride of Britain Awards 2018 – and we couldn’t be more proud! 

Chosen for her true bravery and determination, Lydia’s mother, Tracey, and younger brother, Pierce, were tragically murdered in March 2017 by a homeless man they had taken into their home.

This tragic incident spurred 19-year-old Lydia to turn to fundraising, despite still coping with her own personal grief, in order to bring some positivity to her terrible, life-changing situation.

We are truly humbled that Lydia chose to fundraise for us, in celebration of Pierce who had not one, but two, experiences of our hospital. 

When he just was five-years-old, Pierce had had open heart surgery at our hospital. Lydia wanted to thank us for saving his life once – and for trying to save it a second time. She said: "Although staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital couldn't save Pierce's life the second time, they'd done so before and went well above and beyond the call of duty. 

"Their expert treatment and care allowed him to have such a happy life. Unfortunately it came to an end far sooner than it should have, but it's because of Birmingham Children's that he was able to live to thirteen-years-old."

Lydia is currently preparing to run the Great Birmingham Half Marathon on Sunday 14 October, and has so far raised over £14,000, smashing her original target of £1,000. We are truly thankful for her support as the money she has raised will go towards our Critical Journeys Appeal which is less than £300k off its £2million target.