Reality TV
Craig Phillips's BB winnings donee dies
Published Wednesday, Apr 16 2008, 09:45 BST | By Beth Hilton
The girl to whom Craig Phillips donated his Big Brother prize money has died.
Joanne Harris, 25, passed away in hospital on Sunday after contracting an infection.
Phillips entered the first series of the show in 2000 to raise cash for Harris, his best friend's niece, who had Down's syndrome.
He put his £70,000 prize money towards paying for her to undergo a heart and lung transplant in the US.
Her mum Marion told the Shropshire Star: "She brought so much joy to so many people and did so much to show that people with disabilities can lead very full lives."
At Christmas 2000, Harris appeared in the video for Phillips's charity single 'At This Time of Year', which raised more than £40,000 for the Down's Syndrome Association.
Phillips, a self-employed builder before entering the house, went on to open a construction training centre and has presented more than 700 DIY-related shows for various channels.
Joanne Harris, 25, passed away in hospital on Sunday after contracting an infection.
Phillips entered the first series of the show in 2000 to raise cash for Harris, his best friend's niece, who had Down's syndrome.
He put his £70,000 prize money towards paying for her to undergo a heart and lung transplant in the US.
Her mum Marion told the Shropshire Star: "She brought so much joy to so many people and did so much to show that people with disabilities can lead very full lives."
At Christmas 2000, Harris appeared in the video for Phillips's charity single 'At This Time of Year', which raised more than £40,000 for the Down's Syndrome Association.
Phillips, a self-employed builder before entering the house, went on to open a construction training centre and has presented more than 700 DIY-related shows for various channels.
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