This Morning’s Ben Shephard recounts a meeting with a remarkable 10-year-old boy from Sheldon that changed his life and brought him even closer to the city that shaped him
Ben Shephard says an unforgettable meeting with a 10-year-old ‘funny, giggly boy’ changed his life. “I was hosting an event for Seve Ballesteros Brain Cancer Foundation in 2010. Harry Moseley was the keynote speaker in front of over 1,000 guests at this huge event full of celebrities, professional golfers and millionaire businessmen. He had the whole room transfixed telling his story, and he had me in fits of giggles all night with his cheeky laughter and teasing.”
The TV personality known to millions as the presenter of ITV’s This Morning adds that for someone so young and facing such an uncertain future to be so full of joy, humour and wide-eyed enthusiasm was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. “He really did change my life,” said Ben, who was to become an ambassador for the Help Harry Help Others (HHHO) cancer charity, set up initially by Harry and carried on by his mum Georgie after the youngster from Sheldon passed away at the age of 11.
AMBASSADOR
While there’s nothing new about high-profile celebrities lending their names to good causes, helping to generate publicity and much-needed funds, Ben’s mission with Harry’s charity is different. It’s much more ‘hands-on’. As an ambassador for the charity, Ben has taken on countless personal physical challenges to raise money for HHHO as well as being the highly visible, always available frontman and champion at many events. These include the opening of the pioneering HHHO drop-in centre at Stechford which provides practical and help and support for more than 1,500 families affected by the impact of cancer on their lives.
The latest initiative which Ben is helping promote is the Club Harry’s #IamHarry Christmas campaign to encourage regular monthly subscribers to the charity. Ben said: “When Harry set up his foundation, Georgie and Harry asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador, and it was a very quick ‘yes’. Being around Harry was to feel alive to the possibility of anything. To be a small part of that journey was and still is a privilege. I love supporting everything they do in Harry’s memory, being a part of events and fund-raisers, joining challenges and generally sharing Harry’s vision.”
Ben has some serious roots in Brum going back years. Though born in Epping, Essex, he studied at the University of Birmingham where he earned a BA Honours degree in dance, drama and theatre arts – and also met his wife Annie.
BEST TIMES
He recalls: “I loved my time as a student. From life on the Vale in Halls to living in Selly Oak, it was the best time in my life. I met my best mates in Brum, my wife in Brum and having family roots there made it feel all the more special. The city has changed a lot since we were there. But the Dilshad in Selly Oak was our curry house. If we weren’t there at least three times a week we’d get withdrawals. We lived in The OVT in Selly Oak and after going to any of the clubs in town, if we didn’t visit Mr Egg, then the night wouldn’t be complete! Who doesn’t want egg and chips after a night out!”
Ben is still involved with the university as part of the alumni mentoring programme. He says: “It’s about offering advice, support and encouragement to undergrads. The students I’m working with are so motivated and far brighter than I ever was. I’m incredibly proud of my connection with Birmingham Uni and to be able to meet some of the students and see how much they are grasping that opportunity, and see what they are going through now, is a small reminder of my experience which started 30 years ago – it’s great but does make me feel very old!”
TV CAREER
Ben’s career in television began working as a runner for the Weather Network in Hockley. He went on to work as the host of Channel 4’s teen TV review programme Control Freaks, before becoming a presenter for MTV, Channel 4’s The Bigger Breakfast, Planet Pop, and Sunday morning show T4.
Now living in London, Ben says he loves returning to the city that has been such a big part of his life. “I really love walking around. When I came to uni they’d just pedestrianised New Street and now it’s incredible what they’ve done around the Bullring and city generally. It’s a great city and I still love the Jewellery Quarter, as that’s where I started work as a runner and got a taste for TV.”
Of the #IAmHarry campaign, Ben said: “The idea of it is to highlight the impact Harry has had – and is still having on those he met, inspired and more importantly supported. Whether a supporter, or a service user these people are all Harry’s.”
Joining Ben in supporting the campaign are fellow ‘famous Brummies’ and This Morning co-hosts, Alison Hammond and Cat Deeley. “Alison knows all about Harry and has met his mum Georgie on a number of occasions and both she and Cat are very proud Brummies,” said Ben. “Harry represents the very best of the Midlands so it’s very easy for them to hear about him from me and immediately want to lend their support to the #IAmHarry campaign.”