'Best birthday ever' for seven year old Jake thanks to special 'drive-by' celebration

Jake Willis enjoying a special 'drive-by' birthday celebration Credit: Darren Willis

The parents of a little boy from Burton Latimer who has a complex heart condition say they could never have dreamed that so many people would come together for a special 'drive-by' birthday celebration for their son.

  • Watch Jake's seventh birthday 'drive-by celebrations.

150 vehicles took part in the special 'drive-by' for Jake Willis' seventh birthday outside his Northamptonshire home.

Jake was born with Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome which means he has half a working heart.

He's had three major open heart surgeries, the first at just two days old.

Even Spiderman turned up for the celebrations in Burton Latimer. Credit: Darren Willis

His family wanted to make his 7th Birthday special, but due to lockdown restrictions they weren't sure how to mark the day.

Jake has been shielding since lockdown and has only been able to go into his back garden.

He loves motorbikes and fast cars and so his mum and dad asked friends and family to come along with balloons and banners and to bring their motorbikes and fast cars if they could.

Jake's mum and dad Grace and Darren Willis told ITV News Anglia that they only had a week to prepare the surprise and couldn't believe how many people came along to help Jake celebrate his birthday.

Around 150 vehicles took part in the celebrations. Credit: Darren Willis

It took about an hour for all the vehicles in the drive-by birthday parade to go past Jake's house.

Waving on as the convoy of vehicles goes past. Credit: Darren Willis
The family say they are so pleased with the number of people who took part. Credit: Darren Willis

The Pressure is now on as Jake's actual birthday is on Tuesday (9th June), so it will be double celebrations for the Willis family.

Although his dad Darren says he's not sure how he will top this.