Newcastle boy, 5, born with two holes in heart and battling back from stroke given incredible surprise on birthday

A five-year-old boy who was born with two holes in his heart and suffered a stroke was visited by his heroes on his birthday.

Finley Jackson was born with two holes in his heart but his rare condition was not discovered by medics until he was two years old.

The courageous little boy has spent the last three years in and out of hospital and earlier this year suffered a stroke that left him with limited mobility in his hand.

Go here for the latest breaking news from Newcastle

But Finley has refused to let his condition dampen his dreams of becoming a firefighter.

And now a crew from Byker Community Fire Station have been hailed heroes by the tot’s family – after they brought those dreams closer to reality.

They visited Finley at his home in Walker where they showed him around their appliance and put on their sirens for him.

Brave Finley Jackson was born with two holes in his heart and suffered a stroke that left him with limited mobility in his hand. (Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)

Finley's grandmother, Diane Waterston, 56, has praised fire crews and said she was “overwhelmed” by their friendly and patient nature.

The grandmother-of-12, who lives in Byker, said: “Finley loves emergency vehicles, when he hears the sirens and sees the lights it brings him so much joy.

“He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up and actually we had bought him a little firefighter’s outfit for his birthday.

“When they turned up, his face absolutely lit up it was incredible to see him so happy after having such a difficult year.”

Firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service paid youngster Finley Jackson a visit at his home in Walker. (Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.)

Station Manager David Linsley helped arrange the visit said it was fantastic to see the impact the visit had on the brave little boy.

He said: “Though we were extra cautious because of Finley being more vulnerable, it was great to be a part of his special day.

“It was 15 minutes of our time that we knew we could spare and the difference it made was fantastic.

“The chance to inspire the next generation is not something we often pass up, we get to show all the sides of what firefighters do and a big part of that is embedding yourself in the community.”

TWFRS are currently recruiting for a number of roles across the service and their pre-registration for firefighters is available on their website.

For the latest local news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter