Boy, 8, realises 'bucket list' wish of being police officer for a day
Oscar Jealous played with puppies and sat on a quad bike during his day at Bournville station.
Sunday 9 August 2020 16:50, UK
A child who has been diagnosed with a degenerative condition was given the chance to fulfil his dream of being a police officer.
Oscar Jealous, eight, got behind the wheel of a police vehicle, played custody sergeant in a cell block, and cuddled a litter of police pups.
The youngster, who got to spend the day with his younger brother Charlie, was also given a warrant card as a memento for the day.
West Midlands Police arranged the visit, which is one of Oscar's achievements on his bucket list.
In February, Oscar was diagnosed with Batten Disease, a life-limiting condition that has already taken his sight and in time will leave him needing round-the-clock specialist care.
His family then helped him create the list in the hope that he might achieve some of his dreams before he is unable to walk and talk.
The list also includes going on the set of his favourite TV show, Tipping Point, and meeting Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane - both of which have already been pledged - plus flying in a helicopter, meeting Father Christmas in Lapland and going up the Eiffel Tower.
The boy's aunt, PC Laura Colclough, told the force about his list and they said they were "only too happy to help".
PC Colclough said: "Oscar and Charlie are both obsessed with the police - probably from having an aunty that catches robbers - so being a police officer was one of the first entries on his bucket list.
"Oscar has lost almost all his sight now due to the condition but there are lots of sounds in a police station to keep him entertained, not least the police car sirens and the slam of the cell door as he locked me up!
"He's had a fantastic day and it's heart-warming to see the smile on his face."
, set up by his aunt and her wife Danne to help raise money for his family, has already smashed its target of £10,000 by more than £20,000.