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Fighter pilot and emergency services in Newark rally to give boy, 4, a happy lockdown birthday




A fighter pilot and the emergency services were among those to answer a call to make a boy's birthday special as lockdown meant he couldn't party with his friends.

Ryan Featherstone, of Balderton, hit the streets to gather video birthday messages for his nephew Theo who turned four on Monday.

Kind-hearted Ryan Featherstone hit the streets to gather lockdown birthday messages for his nephew. (34188148)
Kind-hearted Ryan Featherstone hit the streets to gather lockdown birthday messages for his nephew. (34188148)

He went to the police, fire and ambulance stations in Newark where staff were only too happy to give Theo a lockdown birthday to remember.

Kind-hearted Ryan also sourced many other videos from family and friends, including his cousin who is a fighter pilot and sent a message from the cockpit of his aircraft.

Ryan's cousin, who is a fighter pilot, sent a special birthday message from his fighter jet. (34188150)
Ryan's cousin, who is a fighter pilot, sent a special birthday message from his fighter jet. (34188150)

Sharna Midwinter, Theo's mum, said the response was overwhelming and brought her and her partner to tears.

"It was emotional on his birthday," said Sharna. "Theo saw his presents and got upset because he didn't want to open them until his family got there.

"But Ryan absolutely made his day when Theo saw all the messages on the big screen. His reaction when the policeman came up was 'that's what I want to be when I grow up'.

Theo Midwinter-Coleman, 4, watching his birthday messages. (34129381)
Theo Midwinter-Coleman, 4, watching his birthday messages. (34129381)

"The message had obviously got around because we then found a bag hanging by our front garden which had a magazine and toy in for Theo.

"It shows people are willing to make children feel special on their birthday, even during the lockdown."

Ryan, who owns a construction company and works part-time at the barber Krew Cuts, said he tried to pull as many strings as possible.

THEO MIDWINTER-COLEMAN receives his birthday messages recorded by his uncle, Ryan Featherstone, below.
THEO MIDWINTER-COLEMAN receives his birthday messages recorded by his uncle, Ryan Featherstone, below.

"I wanted to let Theo know that we are all still around, we are all thinking about him and a massive happy birthday," said Ryan.

"I grew up around a lot of violence which made me have respect for people as a by-product, I care for others and it is natural for me to keep on caring."

To add to Theo's excitement, Sharna contacted the Free Character Video Message page on Facebook to get a birthday wish from his favourite characters Captain America and Bumblebee from the Transformers.

Theo's parents are hoping to take him to see those who wished him a happy birthday after the lockdown is over.

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