Lewis Hamilton's team flies F1 car out to ill 'spirit angel' boy

  • Published
Media caption,

F1 car visits home of terminally ill Lewis Hamilton fan

A Formula One car was sent to the home of a five-year-old boy with a rare form of terminal cancer after he inspired Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Spanish Grand Prix.

Harry Shaw, from Redhill, Surrey, sent Hamilton a good luck message on Instagram from his hospital bed.

The youngster has since moved back to his home for his final days.

Hamilton described Harry as his "spirit angel" as he dedicated his victory to him on Sunday.

Mercedes later arranged for one of its cars to be flown to Harry's home, where he is also expected to be presented with Hamilton's winning trophy from the Barcelona race.

Image source, Harry Shaw
Image caption,
Harry Shaw posted a good luck message on Instagram

In April, Harry's parents were told he had just one week left to live.

Harry's father, James Shaw, said: "I don't know Lewis, but I think what we've seen is what a genuine, decent, lovely person he is.

"That was a heartfelt message he did and he won that Grand Prix for Harry and that means a lot."

Image source, Family handout
Image caption,
In April, Harry's parents were told he had just one week left to live
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip instagram post by harryspledge5

Allow Instagram content?

This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of instagram post by harryspledge5

Charlotte Shaw, Harry's mother, said: "It's brought smiles into his life at a time when there's a limited amount of fun to be had, to be perfectly honest."

She said gifts including signed photographs and a Mercedes cap first brought smiles, adding: "It just went from there, really.

"It's just got bigger and bigger and better and better and the smiles have got broader and broader.

"It's so special to see Harry enjoying himself."

This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip instagram post by lewishamilton

Allow Instagram content?

This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of instagram post by lewishamilton

Harry, who has Ewing's sarcoma, had said in his video message on Instagram: "Hello Lewis Hamilton. Good luck wining the race in Spain and thank you for the gifts. Lots of love from Harry and goodbye."

You may also be interested in:

Hamilton said after winning the race: "Today, I was just super-inspired by this kid that sent me a message.

"He was my spirit angel."

Image source, Family handout
Image caption,
Harry was diagnosed with a rare cancer

The Shaw family has set up a charity page to raise money for research into the disease and have so far raised more than £15,000.

Mercedes tweeted they were supporting the fundraising drive.

Related Internet Links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.