Heart operation patient Kai Hamilton, 6, from Malton, attends UK premiere of Transformers film thanks to Starlight Foundation (From Gazette & Herald)

Heart operation patient Kai Hamilton, 6, from Malton, attends UK premiere of Transformers film thanks to Starlight Foundation

2:51pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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HE HAS already undergone three gruelling heart operations in his life, but that could not stop a young Malton boy enjoying being the VIP guest at a swish London film premier.

Six-year-old Kai Hamilton rubbed shoulders with stars of Hollywood when he was given the red carpet treatment at the UK premiere of the latest Transformers film.

Organised by the Starlight Foundation, which provides once-in-a-lifetime holidays and events for seriously ill children, Kai had a whirlwind two days in London last week, sightseeing and enjoying the premier of the blockbuster.

His mother, Donna, 26, described what the event meant to her son and described his difficult start in life.

“When he was born, we didn’t quite know what we were in for,” she said.

“He has three separate heart conditions and a lung condition.

“The doctors told me I should have an abortion, but on the same day they told me, and for the first time in five months, I felt him kick.

“So there was no way I was doing that – I know it sounds corny, but I thought it must be a sign.”

In his six years, Kai has suffered lung, liver and heart failure during a bout of pneumonia and has had to undergo three open heart surgery operations.

Doctors have now said there is little they can do for the youngster and he has to take an adult’s dose of heart medication every day.

But despite his illness, Kai, who is a pupil of Norton Primary School, didn’t let it stop him dressing as his favourite Transformer, Bumble Bee, for the premiere.

The film’s stars, Shia LeBeouf and Josh Duhamel, both chatted with Kai and complemented him on his outfit before the whole family met female lead, Megan Fox who got all the cast to join her and Kai’s family for a photo.

Donna said: “I cried about four times – I was just so pleased for him. All the stars were lovely and made such an effort. It was fab. It was the best day of his life “He has seen pictures of himself in the newspapers and on the news and keeps asking if he is famous now. I told him I wanted his autograph.”