Northumberland boy with cancer given surprise police escort to hospital
A little boy who is battling cancer was given the ride of his life when police officers surprised him with an escort to his latest hospital appointment.
Eight-year-old JoJo has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a form of blood cancer - for more than three-and-a-half years.
The brave little boy, from Berwick, in Northumberland, is fascinated by the police and desperately wants to become a police officer when he is older.
It has always been his dream to visit a police station, so officers from Durham Roads and Armed Policing Unit had arranged for him to visit their base in Spennymoor to have a look around, meet the officers, and see their vehicles.
However, due to his deteriorating condition he was never able to attend, and his visits were sadly cancelled.
Having been so moved by his story though, officers from the unit still wanted to do something special for him, so last week they took a training ride opportunity to pay him a surprise visit at home before escorting him to his latest hospital appointment.
Four motorcycle outriders ensured he travelled in style to the Great North Children’s Hospital, in Newcastle, where both JoJo and his cuddly chemotherapy duck, Dave, got a chance to sit on the bikes and meet the officers.
They were also given some police memorabilia to take home with them.
After the visit, JoJo said: “It was the best experience of my entire life, I can’t believe it happened to me and I will never forget it, thank you everyone!”
His mam, Claire, added: “I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words just how much JoJo loved it; he had the best time ever, thank you so much to everyone involved.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him so emotional, but in a happy way. He has been through so much and these words do not feel good enough for what you have done for him - thank you.”
Although still undergoing treatment and intensive chemotherapy, JoJo will hopefully “ring the bell” in September this year.
Inspector Kevin Salter, from Durham Roads and Armed Policing Unit, said: “JoJo’s story has touched the hearts of us all, and it was a privilege and an honour to be in a position to do this for him.
“He has been extremely brave, through what only can be described as a journey no child should ever have to experience. To see his face light up and full of excitement, despite everything he's gone through, and still going through made everything so worthwhile.
“Our thoughts are with JoJo and his family and we look forward to hearing him ring that bell in September. Good luck JoJo, we are all rooting for you!”