Ghostbusters super fan George Hinkins, who lives with half a working heart, can now live out his dream of being one of his heroes for the day.
George lives with a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and had his first open-heart surgery at just 36 hours old.
The defect means his heart can’t pump blood to his lungs as well as other people and he struggles with oxygen levels.
In April, the Stray Ferret published an appeal for funds from Make-A-Wish UK to grant the wishes of 62 children living with a critical condition in the North East.
For eight-year-old George, it was a success. Leeds City Council will be helping to grant his wish to be a Ghostbuster for the day by transforming Leeds Central Library into a ghoul-infested haunted house.
The Yorkshire Room, in particular, will be decorated to fit the spooky theme and ghosts will be projected onto the walls. Members of fan group East Midlands Ghostbusters will also be there, dressed up to add to the adventure.
George will also travel from Harrogate to Leeds in the Ghostbusters’ iconic car, Ecto-1.
George Hutchins dressed as a ghostbuster
George said:
“When I’m in hospital, it’s a bit scary. But just like the Ghostbusters, I try to face my fears. I try to be brave.”
George’s love for the Ghostbusters franchise started when he was six years old. He took his Ghostbuster figurines into his third surgery in March 2020.
Rhian Isaac, senior librarian for Leeds City Council, said:
“It has been a pleasure to work with Make-A-Wish to bring George’s wish to life. George’s story touched the hearts of the Leeds Libraries team from the moment we heard it, and we hope that we can help create a memory that George and his family will remember forever.”
George’s family said more surgeries are inevitable and a transplant may be considered when George is older.
To find out more or donate to Make-A-Wish UK, click here.
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