'A dream come true' - Boy, 10, meets Rudimental

Josh won tickets to the festival to reward him for his fundraising and caring for his mum

A 10-year-old boy said it was "a dream come true" to meet a member of the hit band Rudimental at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Luton.

Josh Lynch won tickets to Friday's event from BBC Three Counties Radio as a reward for caring for his his mum Jenna Lynch, 36, who has mobility issues.

He has also raised money for Keech Hospice in Luton.

After learning he had tickets, he tearfully told presenter Justin Dealey that Rudimental's music "means everything to me and my mum".

On Friday, he was surprised by a meeting with Locksmith from the band and said: "It's like a dream come true."

Josh Lynch went to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Luton with his mum, Jenna

Josh, from Houghton Regis, added: "I always wanted to meet a celebrity, in real life - at least one celebrity."

Locksmith promised the young carer he would dedicate a song to him while on stage in front of an audience of up to 30,000 people.

Josh responded with stunned silence and his mouth wide open in shock.

Afterwards Locksmith described meeting the boy as "surreal".

The performer said: "There can be tough times with what we do, but to be in a situation like that where you can make somebody's dream come true - the look on his face made it all worth it.

"I remember when I was younger and I got to meet Ian Wright, roughly around the same age, and it turned my world in a positive direction. That impact put me where I am today so I get it."

Josh, from Houghton Regis, said Rudimental's music "means everything to me and my mum"

Mum Jenna thanked the presenter, Dealey, for arranging the meeting and admitted it was difficult to keep it a secret.

The single mum suffers from a number of health complaints including arthritis.

In 2023 Josh raised about £450 for Keech Hospice in Luton by dressing as Spider-Man and approaching people with a donation bucket.

She told the presenter: "I want to thank you, not only for making today happen for Josh but also all the recognition for the amazing care that he gives at such a young age.

"To me Josh is not just a son and a carer, he is my whole world."