Hero award for 14-year-old Wolverhampton fundraiser Louis
A young charity fundraiser has received a special award from Birmingham Children’s Hospital in recognition of his continued efforts to support its work.
Louis Johnson was declared one of BCH’s “100 Heroes” in a virtual presentation on Sunday and on Wednesday he received a trophy.
The 14-year-old from Tettenhall Wood has raised more than £13,000 for the hospital and collectively more than £35,000 for 18 different charities through a series of events over the past decade.
Louis, who is an ambassador for BCH, was also honoured in April with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Award for Outstanding Youth Citizen.
“He likes receiving the awards but to Louis it is about raising awareness of the charities,” said his mum Teresa, 48.
“He has been fundraising for 10 years - he was just four when he started supporting Compton Hospice because they looked after his nan there.
“He began with a Memory Walk (for Alzheimer’s).
“We thought it would be a one-off thing, but ten years later he is still going.
“We are really proud of him.”
Pandemic impact
Miranda Williams, head of public fundraising at Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, said: "Louis regularly features on our annual 100 Heroes honour roll and that's due to his passion, tenacity and commitment to raise money for our sick kids, year after year.
“Even the pandemic couldn't stop him.
“Despite the difficulties of this past year, Louis still managed to raise over an incredible £3,000 for us.
“We are forever grateful for everything he does for us."
Teresa said the family would like to thank all of the organisations and individuals who support Louis.
He is sponsored by the Mount Hotel Tettenhall and the Mander Centre backs him as do the fans at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
Health issue
The Smestow School pupil has health conditions himself including Pectus Excavatum - which is seeing his ribcage collapse inwards - and he has recently been diagnosed with Scoliosis.
But he continues undeterred in his efforts to promote a range of charities including The Steve Bull Foundation and Midlands Air Ambulance.
On Saturday Louis will be walking the 16 miles from Mount Hotel Country Manor Tettenhall to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to raise money for BCH.
Teresa will be walking with him and Louis’s dad, Stuart, will be driving the support car.
“He did the walk two years ago and had planned to do it last year but it was cancelled due to Covid.
“He wanted to walk again in memory of his friend Isabella Lyttle (who died two years ago after a brave battle against cancer).”
Anyone wishing to support Louis in his walk is asked to visit his fundraising page at justgiving.com/Louis-Johnson-BCyA4.
Report by Andy Kerr
