Mum left overwhelmed after dozens gift toys cars to Sheffield youngster with rare heart condition

Four-year-old Lewis Copley has been diagnosed with a vascular ring, a condition which occurs when the aorta – the large artery that carries oxygenated blood out of the heart – encircles and crushes the windpipe making it hard to breath.

His mum Claire Ratcliffe, from Gleadless, said the youngster has been unwell for much of his life but is due to have heart surgery next month under the care of doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

As her son loves to play with Hot Wheels, Claire set about planning a treat for Lewis after his operation and found that a new shop was due to open in Leeds – called HW Models on Pontefract Road, Stourton – solely dedicated to the die-cast toy cars.

But, after posting on a Facebook group for Hot Wheels collectors for more information, she was shocked to receive a message from the shop owner saying that he would offer Lewis early access to the store during his recovery – however the generousity did not stop there.

Claire, 40, said: "Lewis is a massive Hot Wheels fan, he lives and breathes cars. So, after his surgery I was looking for something good to do and obviously we can’t do much at the moment because of the pandemic so I thought that going to the shop would be the perfect idea.

"It all started from there, the owner replied to the post and the first thing he offered to do was open the shop on a specific day so we could go on our own which I thought was really nice but all of a sudden I started getting loads of messages from people asking if they could send gifts.”

Claire says has now received around 27 messages from people she has never even met who are wanting to send Lewis some of his beloved Hot Wheels toys as gifts.

The owner of the Leeds-based shop has also sent the youngster some toys which he has been busy playing with.

“It’s such a lovely thing to do especially right now, it’s really touched me that people do this type of thing still,” Claire said.

"In the past couple of days I’ve already received seven boxes of cars but he’s not had them all yet.

"I’ve got people sending garages, toys, it’s just amazing. He’s so excited he actually said to me ‘this is like Christmas mummy’. He picked a few out and started playing them and asked if we could save the rest until the morning so he had some for tomorrow.

"I’m trying to save them so he has a box a day. With the amount that is coming I should imagine it’ll take him up to his surgery all being well.

"I just can’t believe it. It’s really nice, it’s something else for him to think about other than his surgery.”

She added: “We’re just overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness and we just can’t thank them enough. They’ve just made such a difference to our little boy. It’s just made Lewis’ day, every day.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.