20/11/2009

Formula One World Champion Jenson Button granted a brave young man a special wish this week.

Shaun Donovan from Swansea has a type of brain tumour called Craniopharyngioma. On Wednesday 18 November 2009 he got to meet his Formula One hero courtesy of Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) UK, the charity that grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Shaun was chauffeured with his parents by limousine to the home of the Brawn GP Formula One Team in Brackley, Northamptonshire, where he was treated to an in-depth tour of a Brawn GP car.

Barely past the trophies in the lobby, Shaun bumped into a raft of celebrities - BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphries and ex-England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson - before being taken to meet his hero.

When Jenson and Shaun met, Jenson noticed immediately that Shaun was
wearing a pink shirt, as his father does for good luck on race days.

They talked about the championship and Shaun, a supporter of Jenson
since his early days in F1, amused all by bowing before his idol.

Shaun says: "I was so nervous I spent last week practising how to smile; now I can't stop. What can you say when you get the chance to meet your hero? It was amazing!"

There are currently 20,000 children and young people like Shaun in the UK fighting a life-threatening illness. This year around 1,000 children will turn to Make-A-Wish to experience the magic of a Make-A-Wish wish.
To refer someone please contact Make-A-Wish on 01276 40 50 60 or visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk where referral forms are available.