'Parents' Send Cabbage Patch Doll to College

A COUPLE who have been raising a Cabbage Patch doll called Kevin as their own son for 19 years are now preparing to send it to university.

Pat and Joe Posey have even set up a special £2,000 fund to take care of the doll's college expenses.

The Poseys bought Kevin at the height of the 1980s craze for the dolls, which were "adopted" rather than bought, and each came with a birth certificate.

"We adopted Kevin in 1985," said Pat. "With every kid that you adopt, you promise to love them and be a good parent and take care of this child.

"And that's what we did with Kevin. He's easygoing and quiet, well behaved."

The doting "parents", from Maryland in the US, have spoiled Kevin with his own 1,000-square-foot playroom and a.. red Corvette car. They even claim that Kevin has a favourite television show - Sponge Bob Square Pants.

"Probably everybody has one kid who is special who they bond with," said Joe. "He's very special. He makes friends easily and he's great to know. He does lots of things with his father. He's like most boys."

The Poseys are set to feature in a programme on US TV channel VH1, called Totally Obsessed.

The show also features Madonna fan Chris Gennaro, a 30-year-old waiter who has spent more than £55,000 recreating his idol's costumes. He said: "She's everything to me. I just want to be like her."