Stricken reality TV star Jade Goody has been revealed as the mystery benefactor whose donation helped 126 children in India escape a life of poverty.
Just like the kids in Slumdog Millionaire the youngsters spent days begging by the railway tracks and nights sleeping rough in the city of Itarsi in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. All that changed, though, after Jade paid for them to be fed, clothed and cared for at a children's shelter.
The 27-year-old TV star made the secret donation in 2007 after a she visited the country following her high profile falling out with Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother. Moved by the children's plight on a trip to a Dehli project run by the British charity Railway Children, she felt motivated to help.
In her biography Catch A Falling Star Jade told how she donated £100,000 to charities in the country, a large chunk of which was used to help the children. "I wanted to give them the things that my kids take for granted," she said. "None of them had even had a birthday party. I so wished I could just go over and throw a huge celebration for them."
The youngsters from Itarsi sent messages of thanks to Jade. "You have helped us so much and made us very happy. We will pray for you every day," said one of the boys.
Jade, who's security has recently been stepped up after an intruder broke in to her hospital room to pray over her, is expected to return home in the next couple of days to be cared for by her family and a team of nurses.
Photo: PA
