Last night at the Lancaster Hotel in London, pupils from Broad Oak Primary School performed in front of Prince Harry and other dignitaries at the Wellchild Awards.
The Wellchild Awards recognise the courage of children living with serious illness and the medical professionals who care for them. Prince Harry is a patron of the charity
As well as performing for Prince Harry the children got to meet him after the Awards. Children and staff also got to meet and have their photos taken with Duncan Bannantyne from Dragons Den and the Mayor of Westminster.
The children from Broad Oak won the national Over The Rainbow singing competition and the opportunity to perform at the event.
The competition saw schools from across the UK go head to head in an online public vote with each school posting a video of their rendition of the Wizard of Oz classic, Over the rainbow.
Broad Oak Headteacher Melanie Hignett said: “I am extremely proud of the children who represented our Broad Oak family and St Helens exceptionally well. It was a privilege to support the charity and to meet Prince Harry in a once in a lifetime experience.”
Prince Harry speaking of the Awards said: “Many of the children and young people WellChild support have been dealt the hardest card imaginable in life, and yet their courage inspires the most incredible strength in those around them.
“I meet the parents, who are often powerless to change their children’s fate, but will do everything they can to make the most of each moment,” he said.
He went on: “I see the nurses and clinical staff, who become a lifeline for these families that just want to be at home rather than in hospital.
“But what everybody has in common is the sense of grace, positivity and good humour that creates a community of support.
“Knowing that someone is on your side, understands what you are going through, and will carry you through it, is a lifeline that should not be underestimated.
“These awards were created to shine a bright light on an amazingly brave group of children and young people, on their lives, and on the resolve they and their families have shown to overcome such challenges.
“Life for families caring for seriously ill children is exceptionally tough. And without WellChild it is even tougher.” he said.
If you would like to take part in next year’s Over the rainbow competition, please visit www.wellchild.org.uk/over-the-rainbow to register your interest.
