Pedrosa makes wish come true

Spanish MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa helped provide a sick child with the most memorable day of his life.

Bike mad Dillon Chapman, 7, was overwhelmed when he met Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa in the paddock at the British MotoGP.

Chapman has neurofibromatosis – a disease which causes incurable tumours to grow in his body – and is virtually wheelchair bound.

He was nominated to receive a once in a lifetime opportunity courtesy of the Make A Wish Foundation and instantly asked if it would be possible to meet his hero Pedrosa.

Pedrosa, his Honda team, the ACU and Dorna all jumped at the chance to make his dream come true and invited him to spend the weekend at Donington as their guest.

Chapman, from Somerset, and his parents Dawn and Mark, were given unprecedented access to the paddock, Honda hospitality and pit garage and were pleased to meet BBC presenter Suzi Perry.

But the icing on the cake for Chapman was meeting Pedrosa, who showered him with gifts including a signed poster and team t-shirt and the Alpinestars gloves he wore last season.

Chapman quizzed Pedrosa about what tyres he would be using in the race, whether he can see the speedo when he is riding and asked him how many girlfriends he has.

Chapman’s mum said: “I think Dillon likes Pedrosa so much because he had such a bad year injury wise. Last year when Dillon had an operation on his leg Pedrosa had a leg injury and got straight back on his bike.

“That is the same attitude as Dillon has. He doesn’t see his disability as something which can hold him back.”

The Make a Wish Foundation will help 1,000 children this year with life threatening injuries and needs £5m to grant these children’s wishes.

For more information visit www.makeawish.org.uk

• Do you think you know what will happen in MotoGP? Have a free £25 bet with Betfair