A schoolboy whose life was transformed by the kindness of Mirror readers celebrates his 18th birthday today.
Brave Ben Baddeley from Staffordshire faced life in a wheelchair from the age of nine after his surgery for cerebral palsy was withdrawn due to Tory cuts.
After reading of his plight, generous Daily Mirror readers helped raise the £20,000 needed for a private operation – and rallied around again to help when he needed physiotherapy treatment.