I’m A Celeb stars share heartbreaking reasons for choosing their charities

I’m A Celeb stars broke down as they shared some harrowing personal stories behind their reasons for competing in the show.

The contestants on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! opened up about their chosen charities during Thursday’s episode – and many had deeply personal reasons for supporting their organisations.

Celebs competing on the show are all playing for the chance to win $100,000 for their charity of choice. Sat around the campfire one evening, they all shared what their charities meant to them.

Several contestants had chosen various cancer charities, with MAFS star Domenica Calarco revealing she’d chosen the Leukaemia Foundation after losing her uncle five years ago to a rare form of blood cancer.

Actress Debra Lawrance broke down as she revealed she chose her charity, Ovarian Cancer Australia, after losing a close friend to the disease seven years ago.

Debra Lawrence: “One of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.”

“I went to see her before she died, and as I left her, knowing that I’d never see her again, all I could say was ‘See you later, alligator,’” she said, as he campmates consoled her.

“And then I drove away. To say goodbye to a friend is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.”

Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry wept as he shared that he chose his charity, Australian Breast Cancer Research, in honour of his beloved aunt, who is currently being treated for secondary breast cancer. “My whole life, she’s been one of my aunties who’s always encouraged me to be me … I just wanted to do this to pay her back.”

Nathan Henry’s much-loved aunt is currently dealing with secondary breast cancer.

Below Deck reality star Aesha Scott went next, her voice cracking as she revealed the heartbreaking personal story behind her choice of charity, Cancer Council Australia.

“My beautiful 23-year-old brother Reuben … we found out that he had two golf ball-sized tumours in his brain. They were so deep that it was much too risky to operate. They gave him about six months to live,” she said.

“He ended up actually living for a year and a half. He was 23 – a baby, really. He was in a really, really exciting place in his life, and it just breaks my heart. I just want to make sure I can do everything I can to help all of the future Reubens.”

Aesha Scott revealed she’s playing for her late brother.

Radio host Woody Whitelaw revealed that he chose his charity, Dementia Australia, after all four of his grandparents were affected by the disease.

“The hardest part about it was seeing my parents deal with memory loss and mood shift [in their parents],” he explained.

And celebrity chef Anna Polyviou broke down as she revealed she chose her charity after recent problems in her business had left her feeling suicidal.

“I never asked for help, and I should have,” she revealed. “I feel like I have a second chance. It’s OK to ask for help – and these women are asking for help,” she said, referring to her charity, Dress for Success, which improves the employability of disadvantaged women in NSW.

10Play has the full list of each celeb’s chosen charity this season.

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! continues 7:30pm Sunday on Ten.