Amazing Northam fundraiser Jack pays a Christmas visit to Downing Street

A young fundraiser from Northam who has been helping good causes for almost half his lifetime has been honoured with a visit to 10 Downing Street after being awarded a Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award.

Jack Hopkins, aged nine, began raising money for NHS charities during the first Covid lockdown by taking walks around Northam and Appledore, accompanied by his mum Katie.

Since then he has raised at least £15,000 for good causes and has become an ambassador for the Tony Hudgell Foundation, set up by a fellow Point of Light and fundraising prodigy.

For the foundation, Jack has Jack has run 100 kilometres in 100 days during winter, walked a mini Ten Tors on Dartmoor and most recently walked a mountain with Tony in the Lake District (joined by Sir Chris Bonnington and Hari Budha Magar).

For Christmas, Jack and his mum have set up a Christmas appeal to get presents for those children who may be less fortunate, with Jack himself delivering some of the presents dressed as Santa.

During the lockdown of 2020, Jack Hopkins from Northam found himself becoming increasingly fed up, losing his motivation to complete his schoolwork.

He was also understandably worried by the pandemic and in awe of the NHS staff who were working tirelessly to try and keep the nation safe.

So he told his mum Katie he wanted to do something positive and decided to raise money to help the NHS, walking 5km twice a week around the area of their home in Northam and as part of the daily allowed exercise.

A variety of fundraising exploits followed and recently he was named in the Prime Minister’s Points of Lights Awards, which recognises outstanding individuals and volunteers for their contributions to their community.

On Thursday he and Katie were invited to the Downing Street Festive Fair, which features invited food and drink businesses to celebrate the nation’s small businesses, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also in attendance.

Katie said: “We had a really great evening at Downing Street – we met some great businesses and tried everything they had to offer, cheese, chocolate, pasta and more!

“It was an honour to have been invited and to be able to stand outside No 10 – we felt very festive at the end of it. Jack was invited due to having been awarded his Points of Light on October 20. 

“Rishi Sunak came out and made a speech thanking the stalls and guests who attended before turning on the Christmas tree lights.”

Jack added: “It was really fun and I liked all the lights and the stalls, especially the free samples!

“I was so honoured to receive the award and couldn’t quite believe it. I really looked forward to showing my friends at school.”

After meeting Tony Hudgell in 2021, Jack became an ambassador for the Tony Hudgell Foundation and has since supported Tony in his fundraising, which included raising more than £59,000 from a mountain climbing challenge in August.

Documenting his progress on social media, Jack has also inspired many friends and family members to join him on his challenges.

His Christmas present appeal for local children is going very well but more donations are always welcome. If you would like to help, please go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/thf-christmaspresentappeal-2023.

If anyone knows of a child who would benefit from a present, please email katie@tonyhudgellfoundation.org.