Boy, 8, left virtually blind by rare disease, ticks off bucket list dream by being police officer for a day
An eight-year-old boy who has lost his sight due to a rare life-limiting disease enjoyed a day as an honorary police officer as he ticked off one of the items on his bucket list.
Oscar Jealous compiled a list of 30 “dream days” he hoped to complete after he was diagnosed with degenerative illness Batten disease, which will eventually leave him needing round-the-clock care, in February.
The eight-year-old, from Kingstanding in Birmingham, spent a day with West Midlands Police at a local police station, where he sat behind the wheel of a squad car, played custody sergeant in the cells and also enjoyed cuddles with some new puppy recruits.
He and younger brother Charlie were also given warrant cards as a memento after their day at the station.
Oscar’s aunt, PC Laura Colclough, arranged the visit after telling colleagues about her nephew.
She said: “Oscar and Charlie are both obsessed with the police – probably from having an auntie that catches robbers – so being a police officer was one of the first entries on his bucket list.
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“Oscar has lost almost all his sight now but there are lots of sounds in a police station to keep him entertained.
“He's had a fantastic day and it's heart-warming to see the smile on his face.”
Oscar’s bucket list also includes going on the set of his favourite TV show Tipping Point and meeting Harry Kane, both of which have been pledged, and he also hopes to fly in a helicopter, meet Father Christmas in Lapland and go up the Eiffel Tower.
A GoFundMe page set up to help Oscar's family pay for his care and to fulfil his wishlist has so far raised more than £30,000.
West Midlands Police firearms officer PC Glenn Brabham also endured a gruelling marathon wearing his police body armour to raise money for Oscar.
PC Colclough added: “We are truly overwhelmed with the offers of support, many from people who don't know us, and I cannot thank people enough for getting behind us to give Oscar some time to remember.”