Michael Sheen backs Pride of Britain hero Florrie Bark, 8, to reach £1million by Christmas

Superstar actor Michael Sheen has been charmed and moved by Florrie Bark, who is battling cancer, to back the Mirror's campaign to raise a million pounds to help kids continue their education in treatment

Hollywood royalty Michael Sheen is backing the Mirror’s campaign to help ­Florrie Bark raise £1million for charity.

The star of Good Omens said: “She just shines and everyone is drawn to her. She puts a smile on everyone’s face. For someone who has gone through so much herself, to want to make everybody around her feel better is amazing. Everyone needs a Florrie in their life.”

As a judge for the Daily Mirror’s 25th Pride of Britain Awards, with TSB, the moment Michael read about Florrie’s mission he knew she deserved a Child of Courage award.

The eight-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2022 and is now awaiting a lung transplant. When she is well enough, she devotes every spare moment to making TikTok videos to increase awareness of child cancer and raise money for Bemorefab – the charity she launched to help ­children with cancer continue vital education.

Donate to Florrie's Bemorefab charity here

And since Pride of Britain aired on ITV on Thursday, donations from Mirror readers have boosted Florrie’s funds, together with pledges, to more than £110,000. Michael said: “Whatever Florrie wants to do in her life, whatever she focuses on, she’s going to do extraordinary things. She’s just one of those very special people you don’t come across often.”

Recalling the judging process, dad-of-two Michael, 55, added: “We saw a little video of her, so I knew she was a real star. We absolutely wanted her to be on the show and we knew people would really respond to her. She’s clearly an incredibly special human being, she just lights up the room. She’s such a larger-than-life personality in this tiny body.”

Florrie said: “We’ve raised over £100,000 already, we can get three teachers for our charity. A million pounds would get a lot of teachers.” And her mum, Stacey Bark, added: “Every child deserves an education, it’s a basic human right.”

'I just try to make it fun'

Florence Ava Bark’s initials spell out FAB, and that’s just what she is.

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia back in 2022, she has not returned to school since. “It really was hard for me not being able to go to school,” explains Florrie, who is awaiting a lung transplant after chemotherapy damaged her organs. “I was the kid that loved school, but maths was my least favourite.”

Missing her friends and learning with others, Florrie began making TikTok videos of herself in hospital to raise awareness of cancer on her account BeMoreFab, racking up millions of views. “I just like to think about the good stuff and try to have fun,” she says.

Florrie and her parents, Andrew and Stacey, have launched the Bemorefab charity, which helps kids with cancer have access to education, as well as social connection and support.

“I think people should donate, because it’s really going to help lots of people like me,” says Florrie.

The Mirror is campaigning to help them raise £1 million.

Andrew adds: “We honestly can’t believe the support that we are getting. We are just blown away.”