WellChild award winner from Bury St Edmunds gets the surprise of her life
An inspirational ‘young hero’ from Bury St Edmunds has met a pop star, a rock star and a member of the royal family after winning an award.
Jessica Davis suffers from over-stretched muscles and dislocations because of a condition called Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.
But the 10-year-old, known as Jessie, puts her pain aside to help her mother, Paula, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and brother, William, who was born with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and has complex health needs, autism and challenging behaviour as a result.
Her selfless actions have seen her named winner of this year’s Good Morning Britain Young Hero Award, held in conjunction with WellChild, the national charity for sick children.
Mrs Davis said: “She always puts other people first and is very accepting and understanding. We have to remind ourselves sometimes that she’s only 10.
“I think by growing up with William she’s learned a huge amount of empathy and understanding most adults don’t have.”
Singer Olly Murs surprised Jessie with news of the award while she was in London a couple of weeks ago shooting what she had been led to believe was a special film for the Fulfil The Wish charity, whose founder Mary Appleton was responsible for nominating her.
He told Jessie she was ‘amazing’ and said it was an ‘absolute honour’ to meet her.
Then, on Monday, the Westgate Primary School pupil attended a glamorous awards ceremony at The Dorchester, in London, where she met Prince Harry, WellChild’s patron, and a host of celebrities, including rock star Rod Stewart.
She and Prince Harry compared notes on having an older brother called William and he scored her drawing of him 10 out of 10.
Mrs Davis said: “She was also thrilled to meet Dick and Dom from CBBC and enjoyed joining in to shout ‘bogies’ at them in such a posh hotel.
“Overall, though, she enjoyed meeting other children best as they come from families like hers with complex health needs.
“It was an absolutely amazing event that she will remember for the rest of her life.”
Jessie talked about her experience live on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday and was surprised with a video clip of Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Dermot O’Leary inviting her to the X Factor final in December.
