THE amazing fundraising efforts of 11-year-old twins from Warrington has been celebrated at a star-studded national award ceremony hosted by Eamonn Holmes.
Ruben and Elena Evans-Guillen’s work to raise money for charity saw them – at just six -becoming ambassadors for the Warrington & Halton Hospital.
Their achievements were recognised at The Child of Britain Awards, the first national awards ceremony to celebrate the courage, fortitude, talents and triumphs of exceptional British children.
The awards took place last night (Friday, June 24) at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. The inspirational and emotional evening featured a stellar cast of celebrity guests.
The twins, aged eleven, have made it their mission to make a positive difference to children who are less fortunate than themselves.
At just six years old, they became ambassadors for the Warrington & Halton Hospital. Ruben and Elena have ADHD, which means they overcome their daily challenges and manage their symptoms to ensure this doesn’t stop them on their mission.
They’ve completed many challenges on their fundraising journey, starting in 2018 by completing a 100 km running challenge, followed by another in 2019.
In 2020, they worked with Paralympian and 3-gold medallist Stephen Miller on a summer decathlon challenge and a winter superhero 100 km cycling campaign to help with Covid-19 grant funding. In 2021, they became ambassadors for MedEquip4Kids and conducted 100 acts of kindness across the region.
In total, their fundraising efforts have helped to raise more than £45,500 in just four years.
Ruben and Elena won the Young Fundraiser award.
As well as celebrating young people, the awards raised funds for children’s charity Cash for Kids through an auction. The amazing, unique prizes included a money-can’t-buy opportunity to meet Ant & Dec and watch them record Saturday Night Takeaway Live. Other prizes included a day with Simon Mayo while he broadcasts his Drivetime Show on Greatest Hits Radio, a VIP weekend trip to Ibiza for four, a beauty masterclass for up to ten people with celebrity make-up artist Chris Howells, and a family trip to Atlantis in Dubai.
Cash for Kids supports young people affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness, and those with additional needs.
Among the celebrities present on the night were musical superstar Calum Scott. Calum’s debut album Only Human, hit number one on iTunes in over 20 countries and reached over one million in album sales. His hit single You Are The Reason is certified Platinum and has over 1 billion streams worldwide.
Speaking about the event, host Eamonn Holmes said: “The World is a scary place at the moment and must be more so for children. These awards are in praise of all these fine young people, who have so many incredible stories to tell.”
Other celebrity guests included Gloria Hunniford, Olympian Colin Jackson, Stuart and Doreen Lawrence, Abbie Quinnen, AJ Pritchard, Mark Sears, Charlie Brooks, Tilly Lockey, Isabella Signs, Tilly Keeper, Shaheen Jafargholi, Claire Sweeney, Sherrie Hewson, Caprice, Robin Windsor, Bear Grylls, Amy Childs, Linda Robson, Nadia Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Natalie Cassidy, Denise Welch, Millie Gibson, Jamie Kenna, Michael Greco, Sinitta, Jamie Baulch, Jayne Torvill, Mark Hanretty, Joanne Clifton, Joshua Kane, Paddy Bever, Lee Stafford, Ray Whelan, Nigel Davies, Grandmaster Samuel Kwok, Calum Best and Jack Fincham.
Brainchild of husband and wife team Mark and Blanche Sainsbury, the awards have attracted sponsorship from I Saw It First, Greatest Hits Radio, Bluestone National Park Resort, Blue Tiger Marketing, The Trade Centre, Valley Mill, Mark Jermin, St James’s Place, Age Partnership, diykitchens and First Look.
