A schoolboy has challenged former health secretary Matt Hancock to donate part of his I’m A Celebrity prize money towards a good cause.
Daniel MacDiarmid, a student at Lewes Old Grammar School, will be bungee jumping off the Larpool Viaduct in Whitby to raise money for the Sussex children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House.
The 14-year-old, who has been fundraising for the hospice since 2015, said this year has seen fewer donations.
He has challenged former secretary of state for health Matt Hancock to donate some of his I’m A Celebrity earnings.
Mr Hancock, 44, is set to pocket around £400,000 for appearing on the show.
Daniel, also known by his nickname, Shrimpy, said: “I have something to ask Matt Hancock.
"Every year I take on a slightly mad sponsored challenge to raise as much money as I can to buy children Christmas presents for my local hospice Chestnut Tree House.
“I have been doing this for seven years, this year I am going to do a sponsored bungee jump off of a 160 foot viaduct up in Whitby.
“However, there is a problem. With everyone tight for money at the moment and bills going up, it has been harder to get donations than the years before.
“So I’m asking Matt Hancock if he can help. I’m asking him to donate some of his I’m A Celebrity earnings to my cause.
Introducing.... LOGS pupil, 14-year-old Dan MacDiarmid. And his plea to Matt Hancock.
— Lewes Old Grammar School (@LOGS_Lewes) November 16, 2022
Dan's raised thousands for his local children's hospice since 2015 but the cost of living crisis means its tough raising cash this year so..... Please watch and share!https://t.co/gTwbmq8m0f pic.twitter.com/BIGPAfiXDx
“Here is my plea, Matt you have a lot to make up to the British public so how about helping out this Christmas by sponsoring my jump so I can help the hospice with its bills and buy children some Christmas presents.
“That’s got to be better than eating fish eyes and camel’s bums.”
Dan has raised just over £550 of his £5,000 target so far and is hoping for a boost from Matt Hancock who is currently down under in Australia for the show.
Mr Hancock spoke of his “big mistake” and “regret” on the show for breaking Covid-19 rules during the pandemic.
The final of I'm A Celebrity is on November 27.
Dan raised more than £7,500 last year when he slept overnight on a ledge on the side of a cliff 120 feet above sea.
His challenge this year is equally terrifying.
A spokesman for Matt Hancock said: "The second reading of Matt's dyslexia screening and teacher training bill is just days after I'm A Celebrity... finishes.
"By going on the show, Matt hopes to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign and will use the platform to talk about an issue he really cares about in front of millions of people. Matt is determined that no child should leave primary school not knowing if they have dyslexia.
"Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and causes supporting dyslexia - including the British Dyslexia Association, off the back of his appearance."
For more information on the fundraiser, visit his JustGiving link.
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