Boris Johnson honours five-year-old Leeds girl with 'Points of Light' award
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has honoured five year old Leeds girl Ada Butterfield with a ‘Points of Light’ award for her fundraising efforts for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation.
The Prime Minister's daily Points of Light awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.
Ada, who was born with a rare liver disease, inspired more than 200 children to take part in a February run challenge which has raised more than £11,500 for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.
Ada and her mum Emma, of Allerton Bywater, started the virtual fundraising challenge when they decided to each run a total 20 miles in February.
Dozens of parents and their children from the village and surrounding areas signed up to take part after finding out about it.
And a total of 230 children took part and helped reach the five-figure total.
Emma said:“It came as a real shock as we weren't expecting it.
"We are so overwhelmed that Ada is being recognised for being so special. Mummy and Daddy think she’s very special, but it’s great to know others do too.”
when Emma told Ada about the award, her daughter said: “Oh my gosh, mummy, is it from the real Boris? Does he know who I am?”
Emma added: "She is a fan of Boris, not because of what he does or what he stands for - she finds him really funny and likes to watch him."
Dozens of children from Ada’s school, Lady Elizabeth Hastings Primary School in Ledston, took part in the challenge
The Butterfield family has now helped raise more than £58,000 for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation by staging fundraisers and run challenges since Ada was born with rare liver disease, biliary atresia.
The disease means she will need a lifetime of treatment and possibly a liver transplant.