Seven-year-old Lucas Daly from London recently became a proud winner of an ITV 1 Million Minutes Young Loneliness Champion Award.
Lucas made the headlines back in the summer when, at the age of six he wrote, illustrated and published his own series of books, which he then sold to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, who cared for his granddad in 2021.
On 6 December, the young creator of the ‘Bone Man’ series of books was named the winner of the coveted ITV Volunteering Award.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain to receive his award, a very proud Lucas said “I feel like I am a champ. I feel like my help is spreading around the world. A big thank you to everyone that has supported me and bought a book.”
Mum Rhea added “I am immensely proud of Lucas and astonished how far this has gone. To think that this time last year Lucas sat down at the kitchen table and just started writing and illustrating his book was mind-blowing.
Roll on six months and we got the first book printed and decided to sell the book to family and friends, donating the funds raised to the wonderful Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. We could only dream that the wider community would be ordering his book, let alone being acknowledged nationally and winning awards.”
She added “I feel completely blessed to have Lucas and can’t be more grateful to the hospice for the amazing work they do and the care they gave to my father especially, through the final five days of his life; as well as all the other people that come through their door. They truly are remarkable. Something I will cherish forever.”
Kate Heaps, Hospice Chief Executive said:
“What Lucas has achieved is incredible. At a time when he had lost his grandad, Lucas thought of others and spent time writing his lovely book. Not only has he raised vital funds for our hospice, he’s also raised awareness of hospice care and brightened up the days of many patients and visitors who visit our hospice.
He should feel so proud of all that his creativity has achieved. It really does highlight that there are so many ways that people can support our hospice. Lucas is helping us to make a difference to our patients and to change hearts and minds. His efforts have shown that volunteering is something that anyone can do. He has an amazing future ahead of him.”
So far, Lucas has raised almost £1,000 for the hospice from sales of his books.
The Bone Man series of books is available to buy from Amazon. Proceeds from sales will be donated to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, a charity that cares for and supports people like Lucas’ granddad in the London Boroughs of Royal Greenwich and Bexley, who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Last year, the hospice cared for almost 3,000 people and they need to raise £6 million every year through donations, fundraising and retail sales, to help to fund their care and support services.
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The Bone Man series of books, by Lucas Daly can be purchased online at Amazon
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice is a local charity dedicated to providing free, high-quality palliative care and support to local people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, their families and professional carers.
- They are a leading provider of specialist palliative care, support and education in the two boroughs and have been rooted in the community for over 25 years.
- Patients can access services through the Hospice at Home service, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich), 13-bed inpatient unit in Abbey Wood, and in community care homes.
- Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice supports patient wellbeing and provides physical, emotional, social, spiritual and psychological care and guidance to support individuals to be prepared, without fear or anxiety and to live independently for as long as possible. Care extends to the loved ones and carers of the patient.
- In 2021/22 the hospice cared for 2,718 people in the London boroughs of Royal Greenwich and Bexley
- The Hospice relies on retail sales, fundraising and donations to deliver its vital work in the community and to lead the way in clinical practice and so continues to drive forward the development of positive partnerships with a wide range of supporters within the community.
- The hospice aims to raise £6 million every year through donations, fundraising and retail sales.
- Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice has 16 retail stores across the two boroughs
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