NELL MCANDREW PAYS TRIBUTE TO JONNY
Copyright 2004 www.leedstoday.net

[ September 24th 2004 ]

Jonny Kennedy was a special man with a devastating disease. And yesterday Nell McAndrew and pupils from Temple Moor High School in Whitkirk, Leeds, were united in their tribute to him. Leeds-born model Nell forged a close relationship with 36-year-old Jonny, who suffered from Epidermolysis Bullosa - a condition that prevents the skin bonding to flesh, meaning it falls off with the slightest touch.

Nell and Jonny met at an event organised by DebRA - the charity that helps EB sufferers - and were pals right up until his death last year. When pupils saw a television documentary about Jonny earlier this year, in which Nell featured, they felt compelled to write to her with messages of love and support. Nell, from Belle Isle, was so touched by their avalanche of cards that she dropped by to offer them a special thank you.

Nell said: "Jonny made a huge impact on everyone he met and we got on really well. He was such a lovely person and was committed to helping other people even though he was in need himself for so much time. "It is just impossible to imagine what it must have been like for Jonny and his family to have to live with EB for 36 years. "It's amazing how many people - and men especially - have approached me to say they cried watching the programme. So many wanted to know how they could help too." Stacey Stanley, 14, from Harehills, said: "I think it's really good that Nell came to see us. She's always helping people less fortunate than herself and the documentary about Jonny was so moving."

Since the programme was aired more than £500,000 has been raised for DebRA, and Channel 4 is to repeat the documentary on October 4, with an update from Jonny's mum. Nell said she got straight in touch with school when she received a package bursting with cards. Recently, the school also sent cards and messages to children in Russia after the terrorist attack in Beslan. "I sat there for ages reading all of the cards," said Nell. "I forwarded them to Jonny's mum Edna so she could have a look. It's been great to come and meet the kids and make them realise what they did was really special.

"Edna really appreciated the cards and it must have meant so much to the children in Russia to have support from children thousands of miles away." For more information about Epidermolysis Bullosa, or to make a donation, log on to www.debra.org.uk or telephone 01344 771961.

Copyright (c) 2000 - 2024 tombraiderchronicles.com
tombraiderchronicles.com is not owned or operated by CDE Entertainment Ltd.
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider are trademarks of CDE Entertainment Ltd.
Materials in this web site are trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective owners.