Wigan boy's dream to meet Mickey Mouse

Three-year-old Bobby Baldwin has three holes in his heart and was born with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, which means blood cannot pump round his body because he has no pulmonary arteries.

He had open heart surgery when he was just six weeks old and has since had multiple operations.

His mother Emma Doherty wanted to take Bobby on holiday to meet Mickey Mouse, but the cost due to his health proved prohibitive and they went to Wales instead.

But now a family friend has pledged to raise £2,000 to pay for Bobby to meet his favourite Disney character.

Emma, who lives in Worsley Mesnes, said: “We will have to get permission from his consultant to check that he can go, but hopefully he will be okay.

“He can’t go on the rides, but he would love to see Mickey Mouse and it would be a chance to make great memories. He is a big fan of Mickey Mouse.”

Bobby’s health issues mean the cost of insurance for the trip would be high.

He also cannot fly, so would travel to France by car.

To raise the money needed, family friend Dave Morris decided to tackle a 10,000ft tandem parachute jump on August 9.

He is the manager of a Kwik Fit branch in Southport and the company has organised the jump for him.

Father-of-two Dave, 49, does not like heights, but is determined to help Bobby.

He said: “It’s going to be five minutes of fear. After what this lad has gone through in three years, it an easy thing to do.”

Money is already pouring in to help pay for Bobby’s dream trip to Disneyland Paris.

More than £700 has been given to an online fund-raising appeal and further donations have been made by Dave’s colleagues at Kwik Fit.

The company has paid for him to do the sky dive, which means all money raised will go straight to Bobby’s appeal.

Dave said: “People who have paid in so far have been fantastic and the company has been amazing. Thank you to everyone.”

To make a donation and help Dave reach his target click here