He's riding wave of fame
A wheelchair-bound teenager with a love of cars was given a surprise treat by a Blues Brothers star.
Andrew Day, who suffers with cerebral palsy, was picked up from Miltoncross School, Portsmouth, by Jake Blues in an old-style police car.
The delighted 14-year-old could hardly contain his excitement as he got into the 1989 Chevy Caprice US State Police Car, as portrayed in the cult film Blues Brothers.
Pupils from the school flocked outside to wave him off on his adventure before he took a tour around Portsmouth that he will never forget, even using the police microphone to talk to passers-by.
His mum Amanda Day said: 'It was fantastic. He is still on cloud nine now.
'When I told Andrew what was happening he was so excited. I had bought him the Blues Brothers DVD so he knew what the car looked like.
'It was great to see his face. He sat in the front and Jake gave him a pair of Blues Brothers sunglasses. He will always remember it.'
The Kings Theatre organised the trip prior to The Best Blues Brothers Show in the World, Ever! at the Kings Theatre, Southsea, on Friday, May 22.
They were made aware of Andrew's illness after his story appeared in The News in January and contacted the family to offer him the adventure.
Amanda, 50, added: 'They made his day. He cannot have wished for a better day, it was brilliant.
'I'd also like to thank Miltoncross School for letting the children come out to see him off.'
Sandra Smith, from the Kings Theatre, said: 'We feel so pleased that Andrew loved it – he was in his element! A lot of the children came out to see him, he was really excited.'
Andrew, of Longs Walk, Buckland, received the Spirit of Youth award in The News We Can Do It Awards two years ago when he went back to school within four weeks of having a steel rod clipped into his back to straighten his spine.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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