Joy for Lilly-May as star Tom Daley joins in dolphin swim
A young Midlands girl's dream of swimming with dolphins came true in an extra special way when she was joined by Olympic star Tom Daley.
The meeting happened when Staffordshire youngster Lilly-May Anderson, who suffers from a brain tumour, won a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to America with her family.
Her father Rob Anderson, 44, said today: "Watching Lilly with the dolphins brought tears to our eyes - meeting Tom as well was the icing on the cake."
The family, of Moat Way, Armitage, won the week-long break after entering a competition run by the Brain Tumour Charity.
Also on the trip were her mum Karen, 42, and big brother Oliver, aged 12.
The charity sent the family to Florida to experience some of the world's top theme parks, including the opportunity to swim with dolphins.
To top the trip off, the charity's celebrity patron was also there to surprise her.
The pair met in the lagoon at Discovery Cove, Orlando, and later snorkelled together amongst rays and other tropical fish in the Grand Reef.
Lilly-May, aged eight, suffers from a grade one brain tumour.
She is currently stable but has regular check-ups at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Tom, who won bronze at the London Olympics, became a patron of The Brain Tumour Charity following the death of his father from the disease in 2011.
He said: "I know first-hand how important it is for families who are affected by brain tumours and other life changing illnesses to have a support network like the one that's provided by The Brain Tumour Charity.
"The Andersons are such a lovely family but they've been through a lot so it's great to see them having fun together in the theme parks.
"Seeing Lilly-May's face light up when she was swimming with the dolphins was just incredible."
Mr Anderson, an electrical engineer for GKN in Birmingham, nominated her to go on the trip.
He said: "She's had a tough time and we wanted her to have some fun.
"We wanted her to forget about her brain tumour.
"We've gone on days out organised by the charity but, to be honest, I'd forgotten about the competition.
"It was superb holiday, we felt like celebrities.
"The day Lilly-May swam with the dolphins and met Tom was absolutely wonderful.
"We thought she would be shy with Tom and scared of the dolphins but she loved it all.
"She was smiling the whole time."
Lilly-May, who has recently had to have her leg in a cast as part of her treatment, continues to have regular physiotherapy.
Mr Anderson said: "She has her good days and bad days but she loves life at the moment."
