Dream comes true for Oliver
There were plans for nine-year-old Oliver Tate to be an England mascot at the Six Nations Test against France at Twickenham.
However, Oliver who has a mechanical heart valve which means repeated surgery as he grows, had spent six weeks in hospital undergoing surgery three times.
His medical team, at Leicester Royal Infirmary paediatric cardiology Ward 1 and cardiac paediatric intensive care unit, decided that he should be allowed out for the event at the Home of England Rugby because it was good for his wellbeing. He arrived and spent most of his time in his wheelchair wrapped up in blankets. Owen Farrell met him in the players’ tunnel and explained he would walk him onto the pitch and then walk him off, as Oliver was not allowed to run.
Oliver’s siblings Eliza (6) and Joseph (11) from Keyworth RFC were also among the day’s mascots and as they went with Oliver to retrieve his wheelchair from the tunnel after the match, first Freddie Steward and then Owen gave Oliver their match shirts.
Their mum, Michaela, said: “Saturday will always be a day we treasure, for the rest of our lives. Everyone, especially Owen Farrell, looked after Oliver and we returned to hospital with positivity and drive hoping to be out of here soon. Thank you for making dreams come true and for giving us hope.”
“It was lovely to meet Oliver on Saturday,” said Farrell. “The whole team is wishing him well and hoping he is home from hospital soon.”
Oliver had used his Make a Wish request for children in hospital and the homeless to receive Christmas presents.
The day at Twickenham was his day to be a star.
You can visit Oliver’s Instagram page where his family hope to raise awareness of heart conditions: Click here
