2021 British Grand Prix, Sunday - Jiri Krenek
Stevenage boy with rare brain tumour gets F1 surprise
A boy from Stevenage with a rare brain tumour had an F1 weekend to remember at Silverstone, meeting his hero and race winner Lewis Hamilton.
Sixteen-year-old Luke Webber was diagnosed with a rare craniopharyngioma brain tumour four years ago, and underwent life-saving surgery after enduring a year of painful headaches and double-vision.
He also suffers from diabetes insipidus, a rare condition that causes his body to lose vital fluids and salts needed for him to survive.
Formula One has long been a distraction for Luke, and he was given the weekend of a lifetime at the British Grand Prix last weekend, thanks to Make-A-Wish and the Poundland Foundation.
Spending four days at Silverstone, he got a tour of the paddock and watched Sunday’s race as his hero and fellow Stevenage native Lewis Hamilton secured a stunning victory – his first since 2021.
He also got the chance to meet Lewis, saying: “My favourite part of the wish was getting to meet my hero Lewis Hamilton and then seeing him win the race was just amazing.
Hamilton wasn’t the only driver he met though, as Luke snapped pictures with the likes of McLaren’s Lando Norris, F1 favourite Daniel Ricciardo, Mercedes driver George Russell and Stevenage-born Sky Sports commentator David Croft.
Poundland Foundation manager, Lucy Ruff said: “It means so much to all of us at the Poundland Foundation that we were able to help give these children the experience of a lifetime at the British Formula 1 Grand Prix at the weekend.
“We’re totally in awe of how children like Luke have persevered to overcome what to many may seem like insurmountable challenges, and we’re sure that their courage and tenacity will inspire people across the country for years to come.”
