DREAM HOLIDAY FOR YOUNG COUPLE

by Ryan Harrison
AS Radio One's stay in Majorca comes to a close this weekend, two young Brits who were chosen by the station to spend a special weekend in Magalluf have spoken of their life-changing experience. Scott Mills's BBC Radio One show, here on the island for the station's 2005 Majorcan outing, features a section called Random Acts of Kindness, where people who have had a particularly hard time in their lives are given a money-can't-buy surprise. Mike Astles, 22, an electrician from Cheshire, contacted the show a month ago about his partner Claire Davenport.
Claire, 20, had a difficult childhood in foster homes and had a brother who suffered from cancer and died only a few weeks ago. Mike wanted to surprise her and the couple were chosen by Radio One to join the show this weekend in Majorca. Mike said: “Claire had a younger brother called Ryan. When he was eight he got cancer and for the last six years he has been constantly battling with it. “I thought maybe the guys at Radio One could put a smile back on Claire's face. “I phoned them a month ago and on Wednesday they phoned to tell us we were going to Majorca with them.” Claire, who has previously been to the Balearics when her brother was alive, said: “The first time I knew about this was when Scott Mills phoned me up. He said you've got the weekend off work, which I thought was brilliant because I'd used all my work holidays this year looking after Ryan. “Then he said do you know where your passport is, because you and Mike are coming to Majorca with us tomorrow.” The couple, who flew over on Thursday, went to the live broadcast of Scott Mills's show from the Jungla Hotel on Friday, and since then have gone out to bars and restaurants with the DJ and his team. Mike said: “It's been the craziest weekend ever. The guys from Radio One have been brilliant, they've sorted everything for Claire and me.” Claire was initially a bit nervous at meeting the DJ, but said he and the crew made her feel completely at ease. “They were so nice and made us feel totally welcome. They're so easy to get on with, it's like you've known them for years.” The couple, who have been together for two and a half years, will be enjoying the rest of the weekend at Radio One events on the island.
Last night they went to Trevor Nelson's show at the Boatyard on Magalluf beach and tonight (Sunday) will be at the Dave Pearce Dance Anthems shows at the Western Waterpark. Claire said being in Majorca still hasn't sunk in and her friends back home in Northwich, Cheshire, will not believe what has happened.
Mike said: “Being here has returned Claire's true smile to her face and I've not seen that for a long time.” The couple fly back to Birmingham International Airport on Monday, and Radio One has paid for a taxi to take them back to Northwich.