Deal Or No Deal fans raise over £30k for guest who shared terminal diagnosis

02 December 2023 , 19:13

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Deal Or No Deal fans raise over £30k for guest who shared terminal diagnosis

Deal Or No Deal viewers have raised tens of thousands of pounds for a contestant who appeared on the show and shared his devastating health battle story.

Brad Wale was featured on a recent episode of ITV’s revived game show and moved viewers and fellow contestants to tears as he explained he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The brave contestant, who is from Shropshire, explained that his life was shattered by the diagnosis after doctors warned he could have as little as two years left to live.

Motor Neurone Disease is an incurable degenerative disease that affects cells in the brain which gradually shut down - affecting speech and movement and ultimately leading to death. The cause of the disease is unknown and treatments exist which can only help aid the daily life of those suffering from the condition.

Brad shared his story with Deal Or No Deal host Stephen Mulhern and said he hoped to win enough money on the show to leave some to his family and partner and enjoy some travels around the world to complete his life bucket list before the disease kills him. Heartbreakingly, he won just £5 on the show - leaving the live studio audience and viewers at home devastated.

Brad Wale shared his heartbreaking life story on Deal or No Deal (ITV)

A GoFundMe appeal has been launched, however, and fans of Deal Or No Deal have helped raise over £30,000 for Brad to enjoy the remainder of his life. The appeal was set up by Brad’s friend, Rochelle Hughes who featured on the same episode of the ITV show as he did.

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In her appeal, she wrote: “Hi! I’m Rochelle, Brad’s friend from Deal or No Deal! I’m sure you all saw Brad's devastating game on Deal or No Deal. His DOND family really want him to fulfil his dreams and we have set this up on the hope that anyone could maybe spare a couple of pounds and get Brad to tick some bits off his Bucket List.” She added: “We love you, Brad.”

Many TV fans who made donations have left messages of support and encouragement to Brad. One typed: “So pleased to see this go fund me page for you Brad! You certainly have touched the nation's hearts! I really hope this support puts a smile on your face and you get to enjoy your bucket list! Good luck to you Brad.”

Another wrote: “I watched the show and my heart broke. You deserve this money, enjoy what time you have left in this world, I sincerely hope it's a much longer time than you think.” And a further viewer wrote: “I watched the programme and was willing Brad to win. He seems so lovely and so brave facing this terrible disease. Make memories to cherish, wishing you all the luck in the world.”

Motor Neurone Disease is said to affect approximately 5000 adults in the UK and roughly 1,100 people are diagnosed with the condition in the UK each year. More information about the disease, symptoms, and treatment can be found on the NHS website.

Mirror.co.uk