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Aiden Healey: Fairy godmother grants Rothwell boy's wish
Young Rothwell teenager Aiden Healey knows that dreams really can come true.
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The 13-year-old had always wanted to see the British Open golf championship and thanks to the help of a "fairy godmother" his wish came true.
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Aiden, who is fighting muscle disease Dermatomyositis, finally came face-to-face with his dream maker at a meeting at Oulton Hall.
His trip came courtesy of Whitby Lottery winner Jane Surtees, 48, who donated 5,000 to children's charity The Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.
The charity helps to grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.
To see what a difference the charity makes, Jane met up with Aiden whose wish was granted through Make-A-Wish.
Jane, who wed husband Mark Lisbon in July this year, raised the money by asking wedding guests to make donations to the charity rather than buying gifts.
Well-wishers raised over 2,000 for the charity and Jane herself added to the donations using her lottery winnings.
Aiden said: "I'm a keen golfer and had dreamt of attending the British Open for a long time. I never in a million years thought I'd get the chance to go, but thanks to people like Jane and Make-A-Wish, I and other children can have our wish granted."
Jane said: "Winning the lottery has changed my life in so many ways and most importantly given me the opportunity to help others.
"I chose to donate to Make-A-Wish as I was keen to help young people like Aiden, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses to fulfil their dreams. It has been a real privilege meeting Aiden and seeing what a difference the charity makes."
Rebecca Kinge from Make-A-Wish said: "This year we granted our 5,500th wish. It is only through generous donations from the public that we can continue to grant a wish to young people like Aiden, who are living with a life-threatening illness.
"This year Make-A-Wish needs to raise over 5 million to continue to grant these wishes and can only do so with the generous help of people in the UK like Jane. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jane, her donation has made a real difference."
Since being established in the UK in 1986, Make-A-Wish has granted over 5,500 wishes.
* To find out more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to make a donation please visit: www.make-a-wish.org.uk
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Friday 18 May 2012
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