Two best friends from East Lancashire are in the running for an award, after raising hundreds of thousands for charity.

 After raising more than £350,000 for charity, Hughie Higginson, from Burnley, and Freddie Xavi, from Whalley, have been shortlisted as teen fundraiser of the year finalists in the 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards.  

In 2020, at the age of 10, Hughie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and immediately began an intense treatment plan that lasted three and a half years. 

Whilst undergoing treatment, Hughie, from Burnley, wanted to give back to all the nurses and doctors taking care of him by taking on a charity walk for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.  

When the side effects of his treatment left him too poorly to take part Freddie decided to do his own challenge for him. Freddie, then aged nine, took on the challenge of running 2km every day for 50 days.  

From this point onwards the two best friends were aligned in their joint mission to raise funds for the hospital.  

Finishing the challenge on Christmas day in 2020, Hughie joined Freddie in his final 2km, and the pair crossed the finish line together, earning them a Pride of Britain award for their efforts.

In 2021, the two best friends decided to take on an even bigger fundraiser, a 100km football ground challenge that would see them run 1km around all 92 of the Premier League and English Football League stadiums in the country, as well as an additional eight stadiums.  

Despite this being a physically exhausting challenge for Hughie, who was still undergoing treatment, it served as a distraction for him and gave him something good to focus on.  

With more than 30 stadiums completed in their challenge so far, Hughie and Freddie have received an outpour of public support and raised more than £350,000 for several children’s hospitals across the country.  

In 2023, after three years of treatment, Hughie was given the all-clear.  

Following the good news, Hughie took to social media and said: “It's just such a good feeling to know that I’ve got no leukaemia left in my blood.” 

He then went on to tearfully praise his best friend, Freddie by calling him his “absolute hero”.  

As a result of all their fundraising work, Hughie, now 14, and Freddie, now 13, have been shortlisted as finalists in the GoCardless JustGiving Awards 2024.    

On the panel of judges who shortlisted them was TV personality, Jake Quickenden, Strictly Come Dancing’s, Amy Dowden, actor and presenter, Sunetra Sarker, award-winning broadcaster, Adele Roberts, award-winning BBC Radio 1 presenter, DJ, Rickie Haywood-Williams, former Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, award-winning fundraiser Caroline Jones, managing director of UK & Ireland and chief customer officer at GoCardless, Pat Phelan, and the president and general manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie.      

Speaking on the news of their nomination Katy, Hughie’s mum, said: “They are both super excited to be finalists.  

“JustGiving have facilitated so much of their fundraising, and they cannot wait to meet all the fundraisers, inspirational people and big celebrities that will be there on the night.” 

This year will mark the twelfth year of the JustGiving Awards. From more than 18,000 nominations, the judges had the tough job of shortlisting 21 inspiring finalists, three in each of the seven awards categories.   

There is also a special recognition award, appointed by JustGiving, for an individual who has gone above and beyond to raise money and make a difference.        

Pascale Harvie said: “After Hughie’s long and very brave battle, we were so happy to hear that he was given the all-clear.  

“Together, as best friends, Hughie and Freddie have raised a jaw-dropping amount of money for charity, and they should be so proud of what they have achieved.  

“We are delighted to have these two incredible fundraisers as finalists in our awards this year and we cannot wait to celebrate all their amazing work at our ceremony in September.” 

Members of the public will have until August 16 to vote for the fundraisers they want to see crowned for their efforts by visiting the JustGiving website.  

The eight winners will be announced at the ceremony which takes place at London’s Roundhouse on the evening of September 18.    

Pat Phelan said: "I'm so pleased to see Hughie and Freddie recognised as finalists in this year's GoCardless JustGiving Awards.

"I was blown away by their dedication to supporting children’s hospitals in England and those who are receiving treatment for cancer. I'm glad that we're able to shine a light on their efforts." 

Vote for Hughie and Freddie by visiting the JustGiving website at: www.page.justgiving.com/justgiving-awards-vote