I’m A Celebrity star Kieron Dyer doesn’t want to cash in on the ITV show and give his career a boost, instead he’s going to be donating his fee to a charity which aims to raise awareness of stillbirth and neonatal death.
The former footballer became a patron for The Jude Brady Foundation a number of years ago after being introduced to its founder, Peter Brady, through their mutual pal DJ Spoony.
Kieron, 36, lost his brother at the age of seven to stillbirth which makes the charity so special to him.
Brady told The Ipswich Star: “Kieron lost his little brother to stillbirth when he was seven, so it is a charity he holds close to his heart.”
Following his announcement that he’s joining the show on Tuesday, Brady was left shocked by the news that the charity would be receiving Kieron’s fee.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Kieron Dyer
“He gave us no indication at all. He is a patron of the charity, and has been for a number of years, doing countless things behind the scenes, but this is one that has hit the headlines,” Brady said.
Brady, whose charity also helps children in Suffolk who suffer from a range of illnesses as well as highlighting the issues around neonatal deaths.
Former Newcastle and West Ham star Kieron Dyer made the heartfelt statement when confirming his appearance on the show.
He said: “I am very competitive. But I am not going on the show for money. My fee is going to a charity. I am doing this show for the charity and my children.
“I see the show can revitalise people’s careers, but if someone in the camp wants to further their career in the media, I would rather they win than me.
“Obviously if I did win, I’d be over the moon, but it’s not the be all and end all.”
Now with Kieron’s pending donation, which amount has not yet been revealed, Brady is hopeful about kicking off the next part of the charity’s plans.
Brady started the charity with his wife Lynn following the loss of their baby boy Jude in 2006.
He said: “One of the hardest things when we lost Jude when he was stillborn was that we were in the ward, and it was very difficult in a ward that had perfectly healthy babies.
“We tried not to make it difficult for everyone else there.
“A goal that we would like to achieve for a four or five year plan would be to create a ward somewhere if anyone has lost a baby, they can go and deliver it privately.
“That is a long term goal but Kieron’s donation may kick-start that.”
