Susanna Reid grew emotional during Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, as she met with the parents and best friend of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, who was known as Jimi.
Jimi died on Friday night after bravely jumping in the River Thames to save a woman who had fallen off London Bridge.
While walking home from work, the 20-year-old selflessly jumped into the water in an effort to save the woman, but tragically drowned.
His parents and best friend Bernard appeared on the show as part of a campaign to nominate the hero for the George Cross medal for his incredible bravery.
At one point in the interview, Susanna revealed her sons had shown her a TikTok video showing Jimi dancing, with the footage reducing Bernard and Jimi’s parents to tears over their grief.
(Image: Twitter)
“Do you know what really struck home yesterday. My kids are always on TikTok,” she said, speaking to Bernard.
“And you posted a video yesterday.”
After the heartbreaking video aired, Susanna stopped speaking as her voice caught, saying: “That was Jimi with all his life force.”
“That’s how you want us to remember him,” she added.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s show, Susanna urged viewers to sign a petition for Jimi to receive the George Cross medal, which is the highest award bestowed by the government for bravery.
(Image: ITV)
“We talked yesterday about this incredible young man and it breaks my heart to talk about it frankly, 20-year-old Jimi,” Susanna said.
“Jimi, who by all accounts is a total hero, jumped into the water to try and save her and unfortunately Jimi died in that rescue attempt.”
“A campaign was launched yesterday, and quite right too, to get him a Gallantry Award,” she went on, letting viewers know the link to the petition was available on her personal Twitter account.
“What a total hero, huge courage and we can’t thank you enough Jimi and I just think it’s an utter tragedy,” she added.
A GoFundMe has also been created to support the funeral costs and to help Jimi’s family, as the brave Londoner had been the main breadwinner in the household.
The fundraising account reads: “Pure- hearted soul. Great helper. Loving boy. RIP JimiTheHero.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
