West Midlands mum wins Pride of Britain Award for inspiring viral video

A mum from Coventry has been honoured with a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award for her viral video featuring children with Downs Syndrome – including her son, Archie.

Rebecca Carless created the film back in 2018 that led to a charity and an inspirational global movement which challenges negative perceptions around the condition, using the hashtag #wouldntchangeathing.

Rebecca said: “Winning the award has given the charity an opportunity to use this platform to raise some awareness.”

The Carpool Karaoke-style film saw 50 mums and their children with Downs Syndrome singing along to 'A Thousand Years'. It became one of the most-watched viral videos of all time, with more than 500 million views, and made headlines in 30 countries.

Rebecca explained: “Before Archie was born, I wasn’t aware of Down Syndrome. I was sad and devastated when he was born.

“But through that ignorance and learning about the condition, it’s given us this opportunity. He’s my drive to raise awareness because he’s not devastating, and his diagnosis isn’t the end of the world.”

Rebecca had made an online appeal asking for help to edit the video. Jamie MacCallum, dad to eight-year-old Rosie, saw her appeal, and made the film at home in Prestwick.

Jamie said: “Rosie was born with Down syndrome unexpectedly.

“The perception at that time is that you’ve been landed with a bunch of problems and that is what I now know to be wholly untrue. When I had that realisation I felt compelled to tell everyone about it.”

The success of the video led to the creation of a parent-led charity of the same name, with Jamie and Rebecca as Founder Trustees.

It offers positive stories to families to give a positive insight into what lies ahead, based on the experiences of real families.

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, will be broadcast on ITV on 4th November at 8pm.