Paula Cogan will join former and current patients of Great Ormond Street Hospital today

A Willesden teenager will be the VIP guest of a Formula 1 chief at the British Grand Prix today (Saturday).

Paula Cogan will join former and current patients of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where they will be guests of Bernie Ecclestone.

The 19-year-old, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, has spent her life undergoing various treatments and at 15 struggled to breathe properly without oxygen and needed to use a wheelchair.

The condition, which was diagnosed at nine months, causes a build-up of mucus in the lungs and the digestive system.

Since undergoing a successful double lung transplant at GOSH Miss Cogan now attends university and leads a happy, active life.

She will have a VIP “access all areas’’ pass, allowing her to witness the qualifying laps and see the inner workings of the British Grand Prix and will be treated to an exclusive visit to a team’s garage where she will meet drivers and technicians.

Thomas Cogan, Miss Cogan’s father, said: “Paula, her brother and I have been watching it together on TV since she was a little girl and it has fond memories for us all.

“We can’t quite believe we will be getting up close to the action for real – even visiting the garages and meeting drivers.”

n For information about GOSH and its charity visit www.gosh.nhs.uk