Football-daft Lewis to watch heroes at theatre of dreamz

A CHARITY which has helped youngsters do everything from learning how to make sausage rolls to meeting Lady Gaga in New York is set to make its 400th dream come true.

Chronic asthma sufferer Lewis Conroy, aged nine, will get the chance to watch his beloved Manchester United play tonight at Old Trafford, thanks to the Dreamz4U charity.

Lewis, who regularly attends the Sick Kids Hospital as a result of to his condition, is the 400th young person battling illness helped by the scheme since it was set up two-and-a-half years ago.

Founder Jim Michie, who lived in Edinburgh for ten years when he played rugby for Preston Lodge RFC, set up the charity after watching his daughter Kelly suffer as she was treated for a brain tumour at the Sick Kids.

Mr Michie says he still gets the same sense of joy when he makes a child's dreams come true, however big or small they may be.

He said: "To have 400 dreams in two-and-a-half years is just amazing.

"We've had everything from making sausage rolls to meeting Lady Gaga to having a limo drive to school or going to see Manchester United.

"When you see the faces of the families involved and how much it lifts the whole family, it makes it all worthwhile.

"It's about making their dreams come true."

Murrayburn Primary School pupil Lewis has had chronic asthma since he was a baby.

He was nominated by his asthma nurse ad the Sick Kids to receive his dream, organised by the charity after a local businessman donated his season tickets for tonight's match.

The youngster and his dad, Andy Conroy, will spend tonight in a hotel in Manchester, donated through the charity, and travel back to their Sighthill home tomorrow.

Lewis was also given a football strip signed by United midfielder Michael Carrick.

Lewis's mum, Michelle Davies, said: "He's on a whole list of medication to keep it under control and he's been on steroids for almost two years.

"But he is a wee fighter and he eats, sleeps and breathes football so this is perfect for him.

"Dreamz4U is an amazing organisation and Lewis was gobsmacked that they got these tickets for him.

"Not many kids get to go and see a Man Utd game."

Alan Watson, partner in independent financial advisers the Stockbridge Partnership, donated his season tickets to Lewis for tonight's match against West Ham after being contacted by Mr Michie.

He said: "Like so many businesses, we get lots of requests from charities, but what Jim was asking for was something different and I was happy to be able to help by offering up my season tickets for the match."