Poorly boy’s name taking to the skies

James’s name has been painted on the side of this US fighter jet.The name of a young leukaemia sufferer from Telford is taking to the skies - on the side of a US fighter jet.

Little James Hatherley has had his name painted on the side of an F/A-18 after making friends with a member of the US Navy on the internet.

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Brian Hatherley and his five-year-old son James, from Ketley, set up a page on social networking site MySpace to listen to music.

But, after James was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago, the pair launched a challenge to make one million friends on the social networking website.

That number now stands at 250,000 - and one internet user who came across James’s webpage was Californian-based Sergeant Justin “Lock” Batchelor, of the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 125.

Mr Hatherley, 40, said: “We’ve got a lot of military personnel all around the world who have shown their support for James. This particular one decided he wanted to do something to honour James.

“We found out on Friday. He had requested the information about a week before, but did not tell me what it was for.”

Brian, his wife Michelle and James were over the moon when they were told ‘James Hatherly “Splodge” Telford, England’ had been painted on the side of an F/A-18, one of the training squadron’s main fighter planes.

Mr Hatherley said: “Splodge is James’s nickname. James was really excited, he went straight to school to tell all his friends.”

Unfortunately, he said, James’s surname has been misspelt on the side of the plane, but this is due to be corrected.

Mr Hatherley said James’s MySpace mission had been a tremendous success. Among James’s famous friends on the site is the band The Hoosiers, while he has even had messages wishing him well from Hollywood stars Sandra Bullock and Sylvester Stallone.

To become an online friend of James, visit www.myspace.com/bizwiz68

By Lizzie Yates

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This article posted on October 1, 2008 at 11:50

14 Comments

  1. kristy crow said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 07:41

    hi im from america i live in california i believe we take so much for granted but look at this beuatiful child ive been friends on myspace with james for at least 6 months we all love him state side and beyond ty for the article :}

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  2. Brian Scalise said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 08:16

    That is so well deserved. James is a special little person and his Father has been one of the most outstanding parents I have ever seen. I am on his friends list on MySpace all the way from Washington State U.S.A. and it is cool to see an American pilot do something so special for James.Well deserved.

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  3. TARA said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 08:41

    I AM A FRIEND OF JAMES ON MYSPACE. WHAT A LOVABLE, BRAVE, KIND, HERO HE HAS BEEN! THIS LITTLE BOY IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I WAS SO PROUD TO HEAR ABOUT JAMES’ NAME ON THE PLANE. WHAT AN HONOR!
    TARA

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  4. Elizabeth said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 13:30

    awwww. i feel so sorry for James. I hope he gets better over time. :)

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  5. Ladyblue said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 14:40

    What a courageous little boy and loving father. Kudos to Sergeant Batchelor for helping a boy’s dreams come true.

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  6. Debbie Berthold said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 14:43

    I think this is amazing. James deserves this and I hope he reaches his 1 million friends. I have been one for quite awhile.

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  7. Wayne Gowdy said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 15:16

    Little James is an inspiration to so many people the world over! He’s a real trooper in handling things about his illness, and always provides us with reasons to smile and feel proud of him.

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  8. CATHY FIORENZO said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 15:28

    GREAT STORY! JAME IS SUCH A BRIGHT YOUNG MAN & I’M HAPPY I CAN BE A PART OF HIS LIFE.

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  9. Janis said: Oct 5th, 2008 at 23:44

    James is an awesome kid. I am one of the 250000 and I love to read their updates every week!

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  10. Rachael Lee said: Oct 6th, 2008 at 05:18

    I am friend’s with this particular little boy on myspace. He is a strong, brave little boy and I cry ever time I read a bulletin of his - whether it be happy or sad. I love reading about his updates and love knowing what is going on from week to week!!! Hope you add this little boy and his father as it will fulfill your heart when you hear new, exciting things as I do every week on myspace.

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  11. Patti Bondor said: Oct 6th, 2008 at 16:22

    I have been friends with James on MySpace for quite a while now and so look forward to Brian’s weekly updates and James’ quotes at the end. What a great kid! I wish it didn’t take something so serious to teach us all to be loving neighbors. Your story was wonderful. I would like to encourage everyone out there to friend James on MySpace. If you’re not a member yet, join. It doesn’t cost anything but a little time and you’ll be so glad you did!

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  12. staci said: Oct 6th, 2008 at 23:24

    i am a friend of his on myspace. I have taken it opon myslf to make a page supporting children in need. which that webpage is http://www.myspace.com/speak4thosewhocant James is so amazing and the things he says is so funny.. keep up the good work james

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  13. Roni said: Oct 7th, 2008 at 03:00

    Hi, I’m from Arizona, U.S.A. ~ James is just an amazing, strong & Brave little boy! I have to say; Thank you to his wonderful parents for sharing him & their experience with the rest of the world!

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  14. Deserae Smith said: Oct 7th, 2008 at 16:01

    I have been friends with James for awhile now, and I so proud at what he can do in school and still have the energy to fight this! I just hope others learn from him and fight this disease as well as he does!! Two thumbs up from the Smith Family!!

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