Jeremy and Jessica Daubeny

University of Exeter student honoured at National Pride of Britain awards ceremony

An inspirational University of Exeter student has been honoured at the Pride of Britain Awards after going on an epic “Tour de Full English” bike ride around the country in memory of his parents.

Jeremy Daubeny raised £37,500 cycling the country in search of the best English breakfast to support two charities that helped him when he lost his mum and dad.

He has won the ITV Meridian Fundraiser of the Year, for the South East, as part of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, and attended the national award ceremony in London last weekend.

Typical life for the 19-year-old ended when his mother Clare first became ill with motor neurone disease (MND) when he was just 15. Seven months later, his father Giles was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was given a year to live. Giles died of a brain tumour in 2018, and Clare died seven months later.

Jeremy, 19, and his sister Jessica, 22, a music and theology student, have supported each other, motivated by the memory of their “incredible” parents.

Jeremy was nominated by his best friend Woody Dufton and his mum Jo, who have supported him and Jessica in recent years.

Jeremy said: “It was absolutely brilliant to attend the Pride of Britain awards. I would like to thank everyone so much for their support, and for the opportunity to be there. It was an honour to be surrounded by people doing such amazing things, and humbling to get recognition for my efforts. I’m so pleased to be able to highlight the work of brilliant charities.”

Jeremy, who is from Tunbridge Wells and is in his first year of studying for an economics and politics degree, is a young ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity and MND Association, and is hoping to organise and take part in more fundraising events in the future.

He has joined the Fundraising Society, Cycling Club and Expedition Society since arriving at the University of Exeter, and has been exploring Devon on his bike.

Date: 4 November 2021