Birthday surprise is a day to remember for Blackburn Rovers fan Donnie (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Birthday surprise is a day to remember for Blackburn Rovers fan Donnie

2:55pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Blackburn

A KEEN Blackburn Rovers fan who suffers from cerebral palsy and leukemia got the birthday surprise of a lifetime — a VIP day out at Ewood Park and a meeting with one of his idols.

Donnie Wilson’s family managed to keep his 40th birthday treat a surprise, and he couldn’t believe it when he was whisked into the Legend’s Lounge by his brother, Sean, where all of his family were waiting.

Rovers midfielder David Dunn was on hand to wish Mr Wilson a ‘happy birthday’, and the day was topped off when his beloved Rovers won 2-0 against Bristol City.

Brother Sean said the day went very well, despite the cat nearly being let out of the bag a couple of times.

He said: “It was magic. It really couldn’t have gone any better.

“We managed to keep it as a total surprise to Donnie as well, despite a few close shaves.

“We were driving into the ground and I saw some of the family walking down with balloons and I had to distract him!

“He thought it was just the two of us going in the Blackburn End so when we got to the Legend’s Lounge and everyone was there he was made up.”

Mr Wilson was joined at the game by his partner Yvonne Court and 10-year-old daughter Katie, brother Sean, his partner Sheena McKenzie and daughter Asher, four, uncles, aunties, cousins and friends.

He was also made up to see dad Roy had come all the way from North Wales to the game.

Mr Wilson, of Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, had complications during his birth and was starved of oxygen, leading to him having cerebral palsy. In 2011, he was diagnosed with leukemia — a cancer of the blood — and had to undergo chemotherapy.

Sean said: “He has had it rough but our Donnie being our Donnie has just got in with life.

“It has been an absolute nightmare but he is a fighter.

“He is getting better now. He looked fitter than Dunny!”

Donnie said: “It was such a surprise. I didn’t have a clue. It was a really good day.”

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