A BOY who battled cancer for more than three years is set to get his wish granted.
Ben Robinson, from Leigh, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2016 at the age of 10.
During his treatment at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Leigh Centurions players Dayne Weston and Martyn Ridyard visited the rugby league-loving youngster.
When asked by Dayne what he would like to do more than anything, Ben, who has cerebral palsy, said he would like to go to Jamaica with his family “as he could see himself on a golden beach”.
Ben with Dayne Weston and Martyn Ridyard in hospital
Ben and Dayne
Australian Dayne founded charitable fund Ben’s Wish in a bid to realise his young fan’s dream and a host of fundraising events were organised.
The target fund was reached in January 2018 and the money was set aside for the family to go to the Caribbean when Ben was well enough.
And in August The Westleigh School pupil rang the bell at the hospital to signify the end of his chemotherapy treatment.
Ben with his family
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Now fit to travel, Ben, 13, will be going to Florida in March with his dad Paul, 48, mum Tammy, 40 and sister Taylor, five.
They will be taking in a Disney cruise before going on a day tour to Jamaica to fulfil Ben's wish.
Paul said: "Ben is really excited about going to Jamaica.
"I am immensely proud of him. He is a clever lad and in the top sets at his school despite all the days off he had to take.
"He takes great pride in being part of Ben's Wish Foundation and wants to give back to people after others helped him."
Remaining funds left over from the money allocated for the trip will go towards paying for care Ben may need in the future.
The foundation has raised money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and helped to pay for items such as personalised trophies, medals, badges and keyrings for disability football team, Leigh Genesis Dynamite, last year.
It has also supported the campaign Action4Alfie in aid of youngster Alfie Sales, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
And tomorrow, Saturday, the foundation is backing a 21-mile walk from Anfield to Leigh for Liverpool fan Callum Peers to help him receive treatment for neuroblastoma.
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