Jacob Newson had raised more than £150,000 for charity after his mum died when he was just seven years old
Little Jacob Newson was flying high when aerobatic aces the Red Arrows swooped in to surprise the fundraising schoolboy with the news he has won a Pride of Britain Award.
Raising more than £150,000 for charities, including the hospice that cared for his mum before she passed away, Jacob, 10, is potty about planes.
And the fantastic RAF display team were delighted to perform the very special delivery.
Jacob, from Leeds, had been invited to watch the spectacular flying display with his dad Andy, but had no idea that he was the main focus on their radar.
After wowing onlookers with their trademark loops and stunts, the Red Arrows landed at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, with Squadron Leader Jon Bond taxiing his gleaming jet to within metres of where Jacob was standing.
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Jon, known as Red One, then climbed out of the cockpit and handed the beaming boy a golden envelope, revealing that he is this year’s Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year.
Jacob was just seven when his mum Andrea died, aged 49, nearly four years ago.
Keen to repay some of the help and kindness he and dad Andy had received from their local hospice in Leeds, he set about tackling a series of fundraising challenges.
Nicknamed Jacob the Pilot because of his love of planes and flying, he worked with the RAF Regiment to complete their gruelling assault course.
He has also climbed mountains, including Ben Nevis, and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge wearing his mini RAF flying suit.
In May 2023 Jacob climbed the highest peak in North Africa – Mount Toubkal in Morocco.
After giving him the prized golden envelope, Jon told The Mirror: “He’s incredibly deserving of this award. His courage, enthusiasm and resilience that he’s shown over his challenges are all the attributes we’re looking for in a Royal Air Force pilot.”
Jacob said: “When Red One came down the steps with an envelope I was confused, but when I opened it I realised I had a Pride of Britain Award, and I feel so special.”
“My motto is ‘never back down, never give up.’ So every time I’m doing a challenge, I always say that to myself and it always keeps me going through all the tough times.”
“I must be the Red Arrows’ biggest fan, so if I had to give today a mark out of ten, I’d say 100.”
Andy added: “I feel quite emotional about Jacob winning a Pride of Britain award. His mum would be so proud. There would be lots of tears.”
Jacob will receive his award at the glittering 25th anniversary Pride of Britain Awards next week, with dozens of Britain’s biggest stars in the audience.
