'Inspirational' Vigo teenager meets Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at WellChild awards
11:00, 22 October 2019
A teenager who had a life-saving heart transplant when he was eight has received an award from Prince Harry.
Rhys Bonnell, from Vigo, picked up the Inspirational Young Person honour at the WellChild event on Tuesday, October 15.
Before the ceremony he sat down and chatted with the Duke of Sussex and the Duchess, Meghan Markle.
The 17-year-old was picked from hundreds who have battled serious or complex illnesses.
When he was eight, Rhys required a transplant as his health rapidly deteriorated from being a healthy boy to critically ill.
He suffered a cardiac arrest and his parents were told the youngster’s only hope was to have a transplant.
Luckily, a donor was found quickly and Rhys recovered and even began to swim as part of his rehabilitation.
Swimming soon became a hobby and he has gone on to win medals at the British and World Transplant Games.
He was nominated by several people including Kerry Adamson, whose son Ben also received a heart transplant. Rhys helped him cope with the required medical tests as Ben, who has severe learning difficulties, was struggling. He calmed Ben down and made it fun for the pair.
Speaking at the event Prince Harry said: “It has been over a decade since I first came to these awards. Every year they never fail to surprise and inspire me. This year, it resonates in a different way, because now I’m a father.
“Each of you make it possible for these children to live the life they deserve.”
