A message to the people of Sunderland: 'Show your support for Jude at huge event this weekend'
‘I wanted to show Jude that he has an entire community behind him’
Come on Sunderland! People across the city were today urged to back a huge event this weekend in aid of poorly teenager Jude Hazard.
Meanwhile, back home on Wearside, his aunt Georgia Punshon has organised a charity ball which will be held this Saturday, at the Exchange Building on the Quayside, with doors opening at 6:30pm.
Georgia urged people to show their love for Jude by getting along to the ball.
“We would love to see the Sunderland community continue to come together for this special event. The support shown so far has been incredible, and we hope that by sharing Jude’s story, even more people will come forward, get involved and help us make this a night to remember.
“Every ticket purchased, donation made and prize contributed is another way of showing Jude and his family that they are not alone in this fight.”
Georgia said Jude was facing “an incredibly difficult battle with his illness”, adding: “As a family, we are holding on to hope and doing everything we can to support Jude through this challenging time.
“While his family are out in America with him, I wanted to do something here at home to show Jude that he has an entire community behind him.
“As Jude’s aunty, I have taken on the challenge of organising It’s All About Jude – Jude’s Charity Ball.
“We have an amazing evening planned, including a red-carpet entrance with a fire breather to welcome guests, fireworks at approximately 8.30pm, live music, a live auction, a raffle and much more. It promises to be a special night bringing people together for a cause that means so much to our family.”
But Georgia added: “This is about so much more than organising a ball. It is about showing Jude that he is loved, that people are standing behind him, and that even while he is thousands of miles away in America, his community back home is fighting alongside him.
Tickets are £25 per person and will be available to buy on the door on the night, or from Cosmetic Contours, in Fordfield Road.
Raffle tickets will be available at the event, and donations will be gratefully welcomed.
Donations have been pouring in from across Wearside for Jude to raise funds for potentially life-saving treatment. His GoFundMe page now has a total of more than £97,000.
Georgia said: “Jude is battling on as much as he can. It’s been a lot for him to take in at such a young age as you can imagine.