A FORMULA One fan from Harrow Weald is set to be racing mogul Bernie Ecclestone's VIP guest at a sporting event, thanks to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Zain Sudagar, who was born with kidney failure, will mix with the stars at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend with a dozen other patients who are being treated to the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The 17-year-old has been in and out of the world-renowned children's hospital in Bloomsbury, London, since birth.

His father, Mohammed, said: "Zain is very brave and you will never hear him complain about his illness.

"He is very positive and always talks about when he is going to get better and he is really excited about going to the racing.

"He likes watching Formula One and this is a good way to take his mind off things for a while."

The teenager, of Hibbert Road, Harrow Weald, survives without either of his kidneys and requires dialysis three times a week. He underwent a transplant in 2000, but is on the waiting list for another after it failed in 2006.

Both of his two brothers have been tested but neither is a match.

Mr Sudagar said: "Because he had the transplant before, he is and we all are confident that he can get another one and will be a lot healthier again.

"Throughout his illness though, staff at the hospital have been absolutely fantastic and we are all so thankful for their hard work."

Zain, who has just finished at Shaftesbury School and hopes to start at Harrow College in September, said: "I'm really looking forward to it, it should be good fun."

On the Friday before the race, Zain will have access all areas at Silverstone where he will witness the qualifying laps and then the race on Sunday.

Further surprises are in store, with a visit to the teams' garages and the opportunity to meet drivers and technicians.

He might even have the chance to get behind the wheel of a Formula One car.

The ongoing relationship between Formula One and the hospital is set to raise vital funds for the hospital's new heart and lung centre.

* For more information or to donate, see www.gosh.org.