The latest of the Wolves Wishes designed to give fans a special treat took place at the Compton Park training ground this week, with a little extra twist!
The Wish for Gary Brookhouse and his family was carried out in conjunction with Sky Sports News, as part of their #92Live initiative in which they visited every Premier League and Football League ground for a live broadcast within the day.
Gary Brookhouse and fiancee Kaylee sadly lost their baby son Ryan aged just seven months in May of last year.
Ryan was suffering from a rare heart disease and was in need of a heart transplant which sadly never came.
Their story touched the hearts of all at Wolves including the supporters, and a group of first team players had visited Ryan in Birmingham Children’s Hospital before he was moved to a specialist unit in Newcastle.
Since then Gary and Kaylee have been fundraising for the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where Ryan had been treated prior to his passing, and many fans had spoken in admiration of their bravery.
The couple already had a young son Harley, and have since had a baby girl Eva-Jean, but have continued to go through a tough time grieving for Ryan.
That is when Wolves Wishes came in and, working closely with Sky Sports, we let Kaylee in on the secret and invited the family to what they thought was an open training session at Compton Park.
Once there, on live television, Gary was surprised by presenter Pete Colley with the news that it was slightly more than that.
Head Coach Kenny Jackett revealed that Chairman Steve Morgan was sending his car - complete with special Wolves numberplate – to pick up all the family, take them for a day at Chester Zoo, and then dinner and a night at his Carden Park hotel.
On top of that were some match tickets for tomorrow’s game at Blackburn, free memberships of the Dribblers Club for Harley and Eva-Jean, and the small matter of a signed pair of Benik Afobe boots which he presented to Harley.
And then, when arriving at Carden Park, the family were greeted by a sizeable family room which has been specially themed with Wolves furnishings and décor!
“It has obviously been a really tough time but we have had our family who have given us so much support and Wolves have been nothing but tremendous in what they have done for us,” said Gary.
“I only thought I was coming down to watch training today – the only surprise I thought might happen was that we were going to be on Sky.
“Kaylee had put a suitcase in the car but she said it was just a load of washing we needed to get done as we’ve been away for a few days!
“It’s just great that we have been given this day and I just want to thank everyone who has supported us.”
Anyone who missed the Wolves Wish can watch Sky’s coverage by clicking here .
Attached is a picture gallery including the moment the surprise was sprung! (photos Sam Bagnall) and then some photos from the day out at Chester Zoo for which we must thank photographer Steve Rawlins.
* Thanks to all at Sky for helping us out with this latest Wolves Wish and we hope the family had a great day.
