Paddy McGuinness joined Lancashire’s young Pride of Britain winners at the weekend as they embarked on a charity run – and the boys certainly put him through his paces.

Hughie Higginson, from Burnley, and Freddie Xavi, from Whalley visited the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday (29 January) as they continued their 100km challenge.

Bolton-born comedian, Paddy McGuinness, joined the boys as they ran 1km around the pitch at half time during the Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland AFC game.

Between their Just Giving page and charity tubs that were passed around at the stadium, the boys managed to raise around £2,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

It is part of their new charity challenge which will see them tour the UK to run 1km around 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, raising money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity as well as other oncology wards around the country.

 

 

Hughie’s dad, Keiron Higginson, shared some pictures and videos from the day.

He even shared a video of the trio’s sprint finish as the boys challenged Paddy’s fitness levels.

 

 

In the video, Paddy can be seen collapsing to the floor after completing the run.

Speaking to the camera he said: “Bloody hellfire – when they [sprinted] at the end I was like ‘calm down boys – I’m 48!”.

Paddy also filmed a video with the boys, calling them Wanderers’ “good luck mascots”.

 

 

Keiron said: “What an amazing afternoon and thank you so much for supporting Hughie and Freddie’s fund raising. Both sets of fans made it such a special run.

“It was a brilliant day. Bolton made us feel so welcome and they pulled out all the stops for them.”

Keiron also had high praise for Paddy, calling him a “kind” man.

He said: “Paddy has just returned from Miami while filming Top Gear, so it was really good of him to come down and support the boys – he was really kind to them.”

“I don’t think he was expecting their sprint finish though… he also tweeted about having a knee operation this week so it was really kind of him to embark on the run with a pending operation.”

Hughie, 11, was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) in 2020 and began urgent treatment at the children’s hospital.

Determined to do something to support his friend, best pal Freddie set himself a challenge of running 2km every day in the 50 days leading up to Christmas Day 2020 – finishing his challenge live on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day morning.

They raised over £200,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and won a Pride Of Britain award and were announced as 2021’s Good Morning Britain Young Fundraisers.

In their new challenge, Hughie is now able to join his friend and get stuck into the runs.

While most children were indulging in chocolate and playing with their gifts on Boxing Day, the boys were at Burnley FC when they both started their new 100km challenge.

To donate to Hughie and Freddie’s fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/freddie-xavi or text FRIENDSHIP to 70450 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.