Dream comes true for Tyler

TRAINEE soldiers at Bordon Army Camp, Hampshire took a break last week to meet a very special guest.

Four-year-old Tyler Hawkins, from Walsall, is fighting Ependymona, a type of brain tumour.

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tyler's wish to be a soldier for the day was granted.

The charity arranged for Tyler to have his own, custom made soldier's uniform and to arrive at the army base in a stretch limousine.

Along with his mother, Wendy, father Lee and 10-year-old sister Charlie, Tyler was taken to meet the soldiers and shown tanks including , a Challenger 2 and a Warrior armoured personal carrier.

He learnt how to give commands to direct the tanks and they all followed his orders.

And the youngster's dream came true when he was taken for a ride in a Bulldog tank across the forest camp.

Tyler then met a whole squadron of soldiers who were ready to march for him and take his orders. He certainly made them work hard and after a long work out they all stopped for an Army style lunch comprising of bangers and beans, corned beef hash and stew.

This was followed by a hearty game of hide and seek, where Tyler tried to find soldiers hiding in the forest wearing their camouflage gear.

Tyler's mother, Wendy Maxwell, said: "It was an amazing day for Tyler and for us as a family.

"It is a happy day for us all to remember and a break from constant hospital and doctors visits.

"Tyler has been made to feel so special and I can't tell you how much it means just to see him so happy.

"Thanks to Make-A-Wish and to all the soldiers."

Then to perfectly conclude his day, Tyler and his family were whisked off in the Army Staff Car that was driven by Field Marshall Montgomery in the Second Word War, before being presented with a specially made dog tag with 'best recruit' inscribed on it.

Tyler's father, Lee says: "Watching Tyler play so happily with all the soldiers makes me so happy.

"I'll hold onto today forever, it's been fantastic."

There are currently 20,000 children and young people in the UK fighting a life-threatening illness, a Make-A-Wish spokesperson, said: "We believe that every one of these deserves to experience the magic of a wish.

To help support Make-A-Wish and help other children like Tyler receive a magical wish, visit www.makeawish.org.uk or phone 01276 40 50 80.