Hinckley Times

Teenager Alex seeks support from South Korean pop idols

- KAREN HAMBRIDGE karen.hambridge@trinitymir­ror.com

A BARWELL teenager has mounted a social media campaign to attract a ‘shout-out’ from her favourite boy band ahead of life-changing surgery.

Alex Wade is due to undergo a double valve replacemen­t on her heart and hopes idols, BTS will give her a thumbs-up.

While many people in the UK will be ignorant to the talents of the South Korean seven-piece, Alex is a huge fan,

The 15-year-old said: “One of my friends told me about them and so I decided to check them out and just really liked their music.

“It’s kind of hip-hop style. I love watching them on YouTube and it would be amazing to meet them, but even if they sent me a message I would be thrilled.”

Alex, who lives with mum Leanne Pratt and younger brother George, was born with a rare condition affecting one of her heart valves and has already undergone three surgeries. She also suffers from a form of autism and other learning difficulti­es.

Her mum said: “The double-valve replacemen­t is quite risky and Alex is quite poorly at the moment.

“She gets out of breath easily and is tired a lot of the time.

“It has got to the point where she really does need this operation as her heart could fail at any point. She is such a huge fan of BTS it would mean the world to her to have their support.”

The pair have made a short video which Leanne has shared to Twitter from her account @Waganne_Prattbo, which has been retweeted more than 3,000 times.

One fun BTS-style adventure is already lined up for Alex - the band’s management are in touch about inviting her and her mum to London for the unveiling of the boys’ first promotiona­l billboard in the UK.

 ??  ?? South Korean pop band BTS pick up an award
South Korean pop band BTS pick up an award
 ??  ?? Alex Wade and her mum Leanne Pratt pictured a few years ago
Alex Wade and her mum Leanne Pratt pictured a few years ago

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