A football-mad boy from Oswaldtwistle, who was born without a right arm, has received a Blackburn Rovers inspired sleeve for his new bionic arm.
Alexander Sparkes, seven, received his new bionic arm in May after his family raised £12,000.
Alexander’s mum Dionne said he initially wanted a white and blue arm with the Blackburn Rovers emblem on, in honour of his beloved football club.
Now the St Andrew’s Primary School pupil’s dream has come true and he has received a blue and white sleeve, the Rovers colours, for his arm.
It was later decorated with stickers of the Rovers crest and the name of one of his favourite players, Scott Wharton, also on the arm.
Dionne said Alexander cannot wait to show off his arm when Rovers play Middlesbrough this month.
She said: “Alex can’t wait to show his arm off at the next home game on September 16 against Middlesbrough.
“He is a season ticket holder for the Riverside Stand and hopes to wave to the players with his new arm.”
He is also hoping to capture the attention of defender Scott and dreams of meeting him again.
Dionne said: “He wants to get the attention of Scott in hope to (get another picture with him) after posing with the player at the Blackburn Rovers Christmas event last year.
“Alex loves Blackburn Rovers and football in general.
“Alex plays in defence for Oswaldtwistle St Marys FC and (looks up to Scott) as he is a defender too.”
Dionne said Alexander’s birth defect was put down as a “sporadic event” that had not been picked up in scans.
She said: “I didn’t find out his arm was missing until I gave birth to him.
“I had several scans because I had suffered miscarriages previously but doctors never picked up on this.
“When I gave birth I was on a lot of pain relief and thought I was imagining the fact his arm was missing.
“However, he is alive and healthy now and I don’t hold a grudge.”
Alexander received his arm largely thanks to a donation from plumbing and heating charity Depher.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel