Amazing generosity to give sick Jamie his dream cruise

Jamie, 18, has a large cancerous tumour on his brain which has spread to his neck and spine, giving him extreme nerve pain and which cannot be operated on.

He has had regular treatment, including a course of chemotherapy at Surrey's Royal Marsden cancer hospital and is currently awaiting the latest test results to see what state the tumour is in.

His mum Tracey told the Gazette how proud she was of her son's courage in dealing with his condition and her joy at the overwhelming support he has received from the community.

She said: "When Jamie's tumour was first diagnosed in June last year, he saw the cruise advertised in a newspaper and said that he would love to go on it one day.

"When the doctors told us there was nothing they could do to operate on the tumour, I started planning to take him on the cruise and it's all because of the support that we've had that it's been possible.

"There are so many people I want to thank. I've got a folder at home with all the letters of support and things people have sent. To everybody who has helped Jamie, thank you."

Many people have raised money to help Jamie pay for his cruise and also for his travel to Chichester College, where he has been studying to be a mechanic.

From fun-runs to parachute jumps, leg waxes to pool competitions, the support shown by the public to help raise the 8,000 needed to send Jamie and a carer on the cruise, has been amazing.

Unfortunately, Jamie has had to put plans for a career as a mechanic on hold because of issues with his mobility and using heavy machinery, but he plans to go back to Chichester College in September to study computing or science.

Tracey will accompany Jamie on his Mediterranean cruise, along with his sister Jody.

When they leave from Southampton, the 12-day trip will take them to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Gibraltar.

Tracey said: "Jamie is very interested in history and he's most looking forward to visiting Rome and Florence in Italy."