A REDDITCH youngster has joined in with a mammoth fundraising effort for Global’s Make Some Noise campaign.
The annual fundraising appeal raised more than £3.7million, which will go towards life changing projects across the UK, providing essential support to people facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
Global presenters from Heart, Capital, Classic FM, Smooth Radio, LBC, Radio X, Capital Dance, Capital XTRA and Gold Radio, all came together in iconic fancy dress outfits to inspire donations, and raise awareness.
Radio X’s Toby Tarrant put the fun in fundraising with a unique challenge, powering a Unicorn for five days down the River Wey before ending on the River Thames. Toby’s efforts raised more than £255,000.
He was joined for some of the journey by Emilia Mackay, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia in May 2023 – a condition which occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells.
The Standard reported her successful transplant in December of last year, and she is now doing well after recovery.
Her recovery journey has prompted her family to emphasise the critical need for more people to register as stem cell donors with blood cancer charity DKMS, underscoring the urgency to support others still waiting for their match.
Emilia has been a big part of the fundraising effort – she did interviews a few months ago that have been played out on all Global Stations, as well as joining Toby on his pedalo.
Emilia’s dad James Mackay said: “What an amazing week.
“Emilia has been on all of the various stations and shows, as well as being the poster girl on billboards.
“We’re so thankful that we could participate in this great event and that so much money was raised to help small charities like the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust across the UK.”
James has been raising awareness for her condition and encouraging others to donate stem cells if possible.
He said: “She couldn’t be on this road to full recovery if it wasn’t for her selfless donor,
“We saw how many other families are waiting for their kids to find their match, it’s not easy to see the statistics about a match when it’s your own child who’s waiting.”
The family have also raised money for Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust and support other charities.
