Seven-year-old with rare blood disorder has his superhero dream come true

IS it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Electroman!

Seven-year-old Felix from North London, who has had more than 20 blood transfusions, saved the day for a plane full of holidaymakers when his wish to be a superhero came true.

Felix was diagnosed with the blood disorder XLD type 2 — a condition which affects only half a dozen children in the UK — last summer.

He may need a bone marrow transplant as he is unable to fight off infections. He is also on the autistic spectrum, which has led to a fascination with pylons and electricity.

So when Felix’s dad Steven, turned to Make-A-Wish UK, the charity which grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions, he asked them to help him grant his son’s greatest wish — to create his own superhero that has electrical superpowers, and have his adventure filmed.

Steven’s daughter Yael (9) had already designed Felix’s costume, as well as one for herself as his sidekick, Sparkgirl.

On the morning of his wish, Felix was chauffeured to Turweston Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, from where he was flown over pylons by National Grid helicopter pilot Liam Hughes and manager John Rigby.

While checking his tablet, he saw a breaking news bulletin about an emergency on board an easyJet flight and turned into his superhero alter ego.

Electroman landed at London Luton Airport and was fast-tracked through security to meet Sparkgirl, and the duo then went to the aid of easyJet pilot Captain Chris Foster.

At the airport, the charity had arranged for London Luton’s Neil Bradford, a former television reporter, to be on the scene recording an exclusive piece-to-camera announcing that they were on their way.

Once Electroman had inspected the aircraft and re-energised the electrics — giving the plane the thumbs up — the passengers and crew cheered and high-fived the pair before safely jetting off on holiday.

Meanwhile, our superheroes went to meet Electroman’s friends at a celebration party complete with a specially-designed 3D pylon cake!

Steven, who is campaigning for more people to sign up as blood donors to help children like his son, says: “Felix is a very special boy.

“It was wonderful to see the huge smile on his face as the helicopter took off.

“To see him this excited has been such a pleasure.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in making the day happen, particularly Captain Chris Foster and John Rigby who spoke directly to him, rather than about him, which I don’t see every often.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who gives blood and to encourage everyone to do so and to sign up as a bone marrow donor at the same time.

“It gives people like Felix the chance of life.”

To make a donation or to become a WishMaker, please visit www.makeawish.org.uk or telephone 01276 40 50 60

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