A youngster fighting a life-threatening illness has been granted his wish to meet his motor-racing hero.
Eight year old Joseph, who is from Garrowby in East Yorkshire, is battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, for which he is undergoing chemotherapy. Joseph asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK if he could meet current Formula One World Champion Jenson Button for a personal tour of the headquarters of the McLaren Mercedes team in Woking, Surrey and Jenson took a break from his racing schedule to make the wish come true.
Joseph’s day began when a stretch limousine pulled up to the Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, where Joseph was staying with his Mum Rachel, Dad Matthew and brothers Harry, ten, and Sam, four. From there, the family were whisked up the road to the McLaren Technology Centre, where goodie bags, lunch and Jenson awaited them, in that order!
After a good chat with his hero, a personal tour of the centre and an inside look into the technical wizardry behind those wins and podium finishes, the family rounded off their day with a trip to Mercedes-Benz World, the flagship of Mercedes-Benz in the UK.
Joseph’s Mum said: "It was amazing. Since Joseph was diagnosed in December it has been a horrendous time and this was just the boost we all needed.
“The wish to meet Jenson went beyond our expectations and Joseph was simply awestruck.”
In 2010, around 1,000 children will turn to Make-A-Wish UK to have their special wish granted. The charity needs to raise £5 million this year in order to continue granting these magical wishes. To help them grant more magical wishes, make a donation today.
Source: Make-A-Wish UK
