Charity steps in to grant 12-year-old’s wish to visit a top animation studio

WISHES came true for a brave Charmouth youngster battling a life-threatening cancer.

Twelve-year-old Paul Harrison’s dream of seeing animation experts in action was turned into reality thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The UK’s leading wish-granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses stepped in when they heard about his interest in computer generated movies.

In 2009 Paul was diagnosed with Stage Four Abdominal Burkitt’s Lymphoma (sporadic) - a life threatening form of cancer that occurs in children and young people.

He underwent an intensive series of chemotherapy treatments and is now in complete remission.

In recognition of his courage he was referred to Starlight for a wish and decided he would like to visit an animation studio as he has already written the script for his first animated film!

Paul, a Mensa member since the age of five, has an IQ in the top two per cent of the population.

His mother Caroline told Starlight that her son was “a very bright boy, who has a very good sense of humour and is normally very active.”

She added: “He has been such a little star through treatment and he deserves something really special. We are very, very proud of him.”

Starlight organised for him to spend two days at the Arts University College at Bournemouth, where he was able to learn about the different types of animation.

Then, with parents, Caroline and Philip, and his sister Lauren, he spent a day at Framestore - one of the largest visual effects and computer animation studios in Europe.

The team there made sure that Paul and his family were given the VIP treatment and a special tour of the studio. As a memento of his wish, Framestore had also arranged for an animated poster of his film script to be created.

It now has in pride of place in his very own ‘animation studio’ at home.

Thanking Starlight for organising his “wish-of-a-lifetime” Paul added: “The day at Framestore was fantastic and I couldn’t have wished for any more. I really enjoyed finding out about all the fascinating parts of an animations studio and going into the private cinema. That was really cool!

* To refer a brave child like Paul or to make a donation, simply log on to www.starlight.org.uk or call 020 7262 2881. For every �1 donated, Starlight assures that 88p goes towards helping very ill children.