Watch above: A Saskatchewan youth has his life-long dream fulfilled by the Children’s Wish Foundation. Aaron Streck was there for the surprise announcement of a three day trip to Toronto to spend time with the Maple Leafs.
DUCK LAKE, Sask. – Garrett Gamble Jr.’s Thursday started like most others, it quickly turned into one of the best days of his life. Garrett was born with a rare disease called Morquio Syndrome.
“It affects his bones, his heart, his hearing,” said Garrett’s mother Carrie Sutherland.
After applying to the Children’s Wish Foundation two years ago, the 11-year-old’s dream of hanging out with his favourite hockey team is coming true.
“I’m looking forward to going to Toronto with my family … to meet the Toronto Maple Leafs,” said Gamble, who’s dream is coming true through the foundation.
“He’s going to meet with Brendan Shanahan, sign his one day contract in his office,” said Toronto Maple Leafs Community Relations Coordinator Russell Gray.
“He’s going to come down and meet the team at their morning skate at the Air Canada Centre. He’s going to lead the team out onto the ice for the game and drop the puck during a ceremonial face-off.”
“Basically anything and everything we can do for Garrett, we’re going to do it on Saturday.”
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While Garrett and his three sisters found out in a school assembly Thursday, his parents have been keeping it a secret for close to a week.
“I’m still shocked and overwhelmed, I don’t even know what to think right now, I’m just in shock and really excited for him because this is the opportunity of a lifetime for him,” said Sutherland.
“We’ve never done a celebrity wish this quickly, literally we told the family last Friday, this is absolutely the most unique celebrity wish we’ve ever done and it couldn’t have been done without the cooperation of the Maple Leafs,” said Saskatchewan Children’s Wish Foundation Director Gay Oldhaver.
The family travelled in a limousine to the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport where they flew out on Garrett’s trip of a life time, one he’ll be sure to share with his classmates when he returns to school next week.
The Children’s Wish Foundation grants between 50 and 60 wishes each year in Saskatchewan.
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