Award-winning fundraising star Milan Paul Kumar, 10, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, has met prime minister Rishi Sunak for the Christmas tree lights switch on event at 10 Downing Street on Monday (28).
Points of Light winner Kumar has received a personal invitation from Sunak. The prime minister also welcomed Ukrainians who had found shelter in Britain, serving personnel from Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire and Points of Light award winners for the event.
During the event, Kumar met Sunak and his wife Ashkata Murty. The prime minister welcomed the child champion with a friendly smile and 'hi' and. His wife led him up the stairs to the reception rooms and interacted with him, a statement said.
He spoke to Ashkata on two separate occasions. Later he managed see Sunak again at the end to say 'bye and thank you.'
"I had the honour and privilege of meeting the Prime Minister and his wife at 10 Downing Street. They are such lovely, friendly, down to earth people. Thank you for welcoming me into your home," Kumar said after the meeting.
Milan Kumar at 10 Downing Street.
During the event, Christmas carols were sung, music played, before the switching on of Christmas lights. This year's tree at Downing Street came from Staffordshire.
Kumar has written and self-published his own book, ‘COVID Christmas Parade’, about a young boy spreading festive cheer during the pandemic, which is raising money for the National Literacy Trust to support other children whose literacy and learning were affected by the pandemic.
He was inspired to write his book after completing a lockdown challenge in the spring of 2020 to read 50 books over three months, which received praise from the patron of the National Literacy Trust, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Milan Kumar
He has also supported the charity by joining their summer fundraising challenge, #FitforLit, by cycling 50 laps a day (one for each book he read) over ten days around the University of Bolton stadium. Kumar also became a Premier League Reading Stars Ambassador for Bolton Wanderers Football Club, as part of the programme the charity ran in partnership with the Premier League to inspire children to get into reading through their love of sport.
Proceeds from his book are going towards the National Literacy Trust.
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)