SCHOOLBOY George Mathias raised £700,000 for Alder Hey Hospital on Friday night in a star studded event at Liverpool Airport.

The 12-year-old from Eccleston, took his fundraising to another level by joining forces with Alder Hey Children's Charity to host the Run With George Ball the day before his birthday to thank the hospital which saved his little brother James’s life.

The night was hosted by Ben Shephard from Good Morning Britain, and attended by celebrities such as Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, Coronation Street’s Samia Longchambon, rugby league stars Paul Sculthorpe, Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan, Olympic swimmer Fran Halsall and ex footballers Neil Mellor and Michael Brown.

George’s dad Richard Mathias, 46, said “After George won Pride Of Britain, he could have stopped, but he was determined that he wanted to use the award as a platform to take his fundraising much further, and this Ball was the result of months of planning and preparation from us and the team at Alder Hey.

“To be able to raise £700,000 in one night is beyond our wildest dreams, and it will mark such a difference to the future treatment of children.”

“It was lovely that Alder Hey has arranged for a very special surprise for him, with a birthday cake like no other, which will be appearing on the next series of Channel 4’s Extreme Cakemakers.”

George, said “I really wanted to raise as much money as possible, but the amount we raised on the night is amazing. I had the best night ever.

“Being able to raise this money was the best birthday present I could wish for.”

Ben Shephard, added: “George is the most extraordinary young man, and it was my privilege to come to Liverpool to host this special night for him.

“We have become great friends since we first met, and to see what he has achieved at such a young age is absolutely wonderful.”