Thomas gets a Santa surprise A KINDHEARTED youngster has surprised his best friend by nominating him to take part in the holiday of a lifetime.

Philip Jones from Westhoughton immediately thought of his pal Thomas Bartley when he read a story in the BEN asking for nominations for deserving youngsters to visit Lapland and meet Santa.

Thomas, aged 12, suffers from arthrogryposis, which means he was born with very few working muscles and cannot support his own body weight.

The Westhougton High School pupil is wheelchair bound, but has never allowed his disability to get in his way and despite undergoing an operation in the summer to have a metal rod placed in his spine, never complained.

The organisers of the trip to Lapland, Alison Power and Mandy Heron, who run the Saturdays dancing club, were so impressed by 12-year-old Philip's generosity in nominating Thomas, that they have invited him to join in the fun as a VIP guest.

Philip will also be joined by his parents Barry and Heather Jones and Thomas's parents, Helen and Gary Bartley, who have decided to treat themselves to the Lapland holiday after becoming friendly through their sons.

Helen Bartley said: "Thomas is a very resilient and confident boy. He just gets on with it and we never hear him complain.

"I was really touched that Philip should nominate Thomas to take part in the trip, even if he hadn't been chosen to go. It was a lovely thing to do."

Philip, who is also a pupil at Westhoughton High School, said: "I saw the story about Lapland in the BEN and thought of Thomas straightaway.

"We've been best friends since we started secondary school together and he really deserves to go.

"I never expected to go myself, so we're both really excited."

Thomas said: "It was really nice of Philip to nominate me - it was a good surprise.

"I don't know why we get on so well, but we love talking about cars most of the time."

A group of 80 people, including 12 special children, will be jetting off to Lapland to meet Santa on December 2. OFF TO SEE SANTA: Philip Jones and Tom Bartley A KINDHEARTED youngster has surprised his best friend by nominating him to take part in the holiday of a lifetime.

Philip Jones from Westhoughton immediately thought of his pal Thomas Bartley when he read a story in the BEN asking for nominations for deserving youngsters to visit Lapland and meet Santa.

Thomas, aged 12, suffers from arthrogryposis, which means he was born with very few working muscles and cannot support his own body weight.

The Westhougton High School pupil is wheelchair bound, but has never allowed his disability to stand in his way and despite undergoing an operation in the summer to have a metal rod placed in his spine, never complained.

The organisers of the trip to Lapland, Alison Power and Mandy Heron, who run the Saturdays dancing club, were so impressed by 12-year-old Philip's generosity in nominating Thomas, that they have invited him to join in the fun as a VIP guest.

Philip will also be joined by his parents Barry and Heather Jones and Thomas's parents, Helen and Gary Bartley, who have decided to treat themselves to the Lapland holiday after becoming friendly through their sons.

Helen Bartley said: "Thomas is a very resilient and confident boy. He just gets on with it and we never hear him complain.

"I was really touched that Philip should nominate Thomas to take part in the trip, even if he hadn't been chosen to go. It was a lovely thing to do."

Philip, who is also a pupil at Westhoughton High School, said: "I saw the story about Lapland in the BEN and thought of Thomas straightaway.

"We've been best friends since we started secondary school together and he really deserves to go.

"I never expected to go myself, so we're both really excited."

Thomas said: "It was really nice of Philip to nominate me - it was a good surprise.

"I don't know why we get on so well, but we're both only children and love talking about cars most of the time."

A group of 80 people, including 12 special children, will be jetting off to Lapland to meet Santa on December 2.