‘999’ call out helps to celebrate John’s 18th
MOST teenagers would be concerned at the prospect of spending their 18th birthday in the back of a police car.
But for John Morgan, from Ely in Cardiff, a police escort on his big day was the perfect way to mark the milestone.
John is an emergency services enthusiast so to celebrate his birthday his family and friends got together to put on a special 999-themed event.
John has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a condition that affects muscle strength – and also has a curvature on the spine, which means he is confined to a wheelchair.
For years he has been obsessed with all things linked to the emergency services.
“John has a huge emergency services memorabilia collection,” said his dad Paul.
“A lot of it has been sent from around the world. The collection includes hats, badges, models, patches and so much more.”
Paul said there was memorabilia everywhere in the family home – so much so they rotate it on a weekly basis.
John is targeting a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most memorabilia relating to the emergency services.
Since his dad set up a Facebook page to try to help his son’s dream come true more than 1,500 people have liked the page and many have sent the family badges, caps or stickers.
John has also been made an honorary fire officer at his local fire station in Ely and he has a special plaque with his name written on it.
To mark his birthday yesterday a selection of emergency services vehicles gathered at the rear of Western Leisure Centre in Caerau Lane.
Ahead of the event, Paul said: “We are going to be picked up from our house and be police escorted to the leisure centre.
“John will be surprised by a range of vehicles from South Wales Fire and Rescue, police cars, and maybe even a helicopter.
“He’s going to be absolutely amazed when he sees it all.”
As well as being organised to celebrate John’s birthday, the event was also arranged to help raise the £7,000 the family needs to buy John a new wheelchair-accessible minibus that will allow him to go out on day trips.
To find out more visit bit.ly/johnsbus