AN EIGHT-year-old boy has represented a local charity at a star-studded gala.

George Mathieson, a Freegrounds Junior School pupil from Hedge End, represented Havant-based charity Over The Wall at a gala event attended by Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Boy George and Natalie Pinkham.

The gala was organised to celebrate the work of SeriousFun Children’s Network – a global community of charities that provide free camps and programmes for seriously ill children, set up by Hollywood legend, Paul Newman.

George was diagnosed with a severe nut allergy at the age of just 15 months, and since then his family have been on permanent guard every time he eats. As a result, George’s family and his school must have an EpiPen with them all the time.

The schoolboy said: “It was the most amazing time I’ve had in my life.

“I loved the rehearsals and getting to make new friends. The stage was really fancy and there were lots of famous people.

"It meant lots to be able to do the show and I loved the headset microphone!

"Even though I missed my family, I didn’t mind staying away from home because it was such an amazing experience."

The annual event, which was sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch Co., took place at the Round House in London and drew a crowd of over 400 people.

The evening was filled with songs, performances, celebrity guest appearances, as well as a silent auction which helped raise money for Over The Wall.

Earlier this year, George’s family discovered that Over The Wall offered free camps for children with illness and also organised one specifically for children with allergies.

George attended the camp and was later chosen to represent the charity by performing at the celebratory gala.

George’s dad, Paul Mathieson said: “We feel very lucky that George was given this opportunity and will definitely be recommending Over The Wall’s allergy camp to others with severe allergies.

"We are in awe of the work of the Serious Fun Children’s Network and Over The Wall -and cannot thank everyone enough for providing George with such a great experience.”