OHMYGOSSIP — Ade Adepitan thinks ‘Children In Need’ has had a “huge impact” on his life.
The 47-year-old TV presenter – who has co-presented the annual charity show since 2016 – is among the beneficiaries of the fund-raising efforts, as the donations previously paid for a basketball chair for him.
He explained: “My junior wheelchair basketball team received money from ‘BBC Children in Need’ and some of that money went towards a basketball chair for me. This had a huge impact on my life.”
The wheelchair basketball player – who lost the use of his left leg after contracting polio as a child – went on to win a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, and a gold medal at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.
Now, Ade sees the same impact on other children’s lives when they receive funding from the charity.
He added: “Going to the projects and seeing the impact ‘BBC Children in Need’s funding has on the children’s lives. The smiles on their faces when I see them reminds me of myself when I got my basketball chair.”
The BBC charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary and to mark the occasion, Ade is presenting a documentary on the past four decades in hope that it will bring back happy memories during these unprecedented times.
He said: “It’s so important for the state of the nation’s mental health to remember the happy moments and to know that together we can bring those days back.
“It’s so important for us to remember and understand ‘BBC Children in Need’s story, their 40-year history and how many communities they’ve supported and continue to support. I want viewers to feel proud because ‘BBC Children in Need’ belongs to all of us.”
Asked what more the nation can do to help, Ade replied: “By continuing to do what we do and more.
“Also, keep providing opportunities for those who have supported and been helped by ‘BBC Children in Need’ to take ownership and give back when they feel in the right place to do so.”
Source: VacationHunter.Online
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