'Helping children's hospital is a no brainer'

TV presenter Emma Willis has said her longstanding involvement with Birmingham Children's Hospital is driven by the life-saving care provided to her best friend's son, who was born with severe heart issues in 2012.

"It took a lot to keep him alive, I remember coming to visit him and he was just there with an open chest," she said.

Seeing the work done to help children and support families was all the reason the Love Is Blind UK host needed to accept the role of patron at Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital and Charity last year.

"This hospital do so much not just in Birmingham, but across the world, and I find it hard that people wouldn't want to get involved to help."

The Birmingham-born presenter is known for fronting shows including Love is Blind, The Voice and Delivering Babies.

Her new role will see her champion both hospitals, raise awareness and help to secure funds for treatment, research and patient care.

"I've walked around these wards many times and I could cry just thinking about it, it's a no brainer for me that you would want to get involved and help children."

She said using her platform to raise awareness and fundraise for a cause she was passionate about felt like a dream come true, especially in her home city.

"I love it here, it's where I grew up.

"The transformation I think that the hospital keeps having as well is testament to the people that love it and will fundraise for it to support it.

"People come here because it is a world renowned hospital, also the fact that it is on your doorstep, yet spreads that far to help so many because of how great the people are working here is amazing."

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