Inspirational Alex performs at famous theatre and meets Hollywood A-lister Jude Law

NOT many 14-year-olds can say that they've performed on stage at The Roundhouse in London and had a selfie with Jude Law.
Alex Hannard, second right, with Jude Law and Paul Newman's daughter Clea, centre, and other youngsters at The Roundhouse Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImageAlex Hannard, second right, with Jude Law and Paul Newman's daughter Clea, centre, and other youngsters at The Roundhouse Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage
Alex Hannard, second right, with Jude Law and Paul Newman's daughter Clea, centre, and other youngsters at The Roundhouse Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage

But Alex Hannard is not like most teenagers.

The Stubbington teenager spent the majority of his childhood battling health problems after being diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic disease, chronic granulomatous disorder when he was five.

After successfully beating the life-limiting illness following a bone marrow transplant at the age of nine, Alex was determined to live the life of a normal teenager.

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This led to him getting involved with a series of summer camps that brought him to the stage, where the musically-talented teenager wowed audiences.

His mother, Lou Hannard, 45, said: ‘Alex is just an incredible human.

‘We are in such awe of him after all he’s been through and he performed so beautifully.’

Alex was performing with five other young people at the annual SeriousFun London Gala, which follows a series of summer camps run by children’s charity Over The Wall.

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The charity helps youngsters and their families coping with serious illnesses and Alex has attended its camp in Dorset for the past two summers.

Lou added: ‘Over the Wall has done so much for Alex.

‘They’ve boosted his confidence, given him new skills and most importantly, allowed him to experience the things that he missed out on when he was younger.’

Alex was invited to the gala after giving a stunning performance of the Les Miserables classic I Dreamed A Dream at the camp over the summer.

Alex then wowed the audiences at the Gala with performances of songs Walking on Sunshine, The Rainbow Connection and The Climb.

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Hollywood star Jude Law came backstage to meet Alex where the teenager got the chance to grab a selfie.

He also met and sang with pop star KT Tunstall.

Over The Wall is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network which set up the free camps in more than 50 countries, founded in 1988 by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman.

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