Sarah Spina-Matthews News, Manchester and
Phil Cunliffe News, Manchester
About 150 supercars and motorbikes joined a birthday parade for a five-year-old after his party had to be cancelled due to his sister’s illness.
Ozzy Sherratt’s mum Lauren put a call-out on Facebook for anything “fast and loud” to drive by the family’s home in Bury, Greater Manchester, for his fifth birthday.
The machine-mad Ozzy’s party had to be cancelled to protect his 18-month-old sister, Isla, who has a weakened immune system due to ongoing treatment for a rare blood disorder.
Despite expecting fewer than 50 vehicles to take part in the parade, Ozzy’s dad Matt said about 150 cars and motorbikes turned up on their street for his special day on Saturday.
He said: “[Ozzy] was a bit nervous, a bit shy this morning but now he’s the most excited five-year-old I think I’ve ever seen in my life.
“He can’t believe how many people have come to see him. He’s had gifts passed out of windows – he’s had toy cars, he’s actually been given his own little electric race car, he’s been given a helmet, a race suit.
“He’s a proper little petrol head.”
Phil Cunliffe/Matt said the family had also had been overwhelmed by support from their community who turned out to celebrate Ozzy’s birthday.
“I’ve cried a lot…I’m just lost for words really,” he said.
“Ozzy’s had the best fifth birthday ever.”
Phil Cunliffe/Isla has aplastic anemia, a condition which prevents her bone barrow from producing enough new blood cells.
But Matt said the family was hopeful for her recovery after she had a bone barrow transplant on Thursday, thanks to a donor from Germany coming forward.
“Her body needs to take to this new bone marrow and then she gets a brand new immune system,” Matt said.
“I can’t thank that that donor enough…without that donor Isla might not be here.”
Phil Cunliffe/Ozzy’s gran Maria said it had been a “very emotional” time for the family, and especially for Ozzy who had not been able to see Isla during her treatment.
“I can’t believe it. People have been so generous and it’s been absolutely amazing,” she said.
