A Nottingham community has come together to help a four-year-old boy with bowel cancer achieve his dream of flying in an aeroplane for the first time.
Riley Hills is currently having his seventh round of chemotherapy at the Queen’s Medical Centre after he was diagnosed in October.
He was out on a brief break from his hospital ward with his family at the White Hart pub in Lenton when he attracted the attention of staff and regulars.
His story won the hearts of Sonia and Ian Sheppard, who run the Abbey Bridge venue.
And even the bikers’ club which bears the pub’s name have taken him under their wing.
The pub staff have now set up the Riley’s Dream gofundme page after asking him what he would most like to do.
He opted for a simple plane ride – having never taken to the skies before.
Already more than £700 has been pledged towards a total of £2,000 – which Ian and Sonia set to give Riley the most luxurious ride possible.
He just wanted to sit near the window
Sonia said: “We asked Riley if he’d like to go and see Mickey Mouse, so he could go to Disney Land – and he said no.
“He just wanted to go on aeroplane and sit near the window and just go to the seaside.
“That pulled at our heart strings even more, knowing he didn’t want the big things in the world.”
Riley’s mum, Sarah Hills, from Derbyshire, said: “It makes it more bearable. Obvioulsy it’s horrendous what we’re going through, but to know you’ve got that support it gets you through. It helps you get through each day.”
