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McKenzie’s Birthday Wish Surprise

BARNSLEY locals are rallying around to help make what could be one local youngsters last birthday one to remember.

Little McKenzie Yates – who is four on Thursday – has been told by doctors that he may just have weeks to live. He was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour 18 months ago.

Lindsay Hall has rallied around to arrange a birthday party for him which will be held today. A local supermarket has donated food, with other businesses pitching in to secure trimmings and balloons. We Are Barnsley has arranged for “Simmo” The Magician to attend to entertain the children.

And now Joanne Heywood, from the When You Wish Upon A Star charity, has stepped in to offer a holiday to Center Parcs for the family – as well as a ride in a fire engine (McKenzie’s favourite mode of transport) thanks to the fire crews at Cudworth.

Joanne said: “We are very focussed on the community, as a charity we are only based in Grimsby but we deal with a lot of children from the Barnsley area. We are all about trying to help out. It’s tragic but what we do makes a difference for people who need all the help they can get. It gives them some sort of experience as a family to remember in what must be the most horrendous time of their lives.”

When You Wish Upon a Star sends 100 children to Lapland every Christmas – to help sponsor this year’s trip, go to www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk.