A schoolboy who nine months ago was bravely fighting cancer has just come back from a four-day trip of a lifetime.

Nine-year-old Billy Chamberlain has been to the Isle of Wight learning to sail through the Dame Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, and was over the moon when he met her – three times – and got to hold the Olympic Torch she had carried in the nationwide relay.

The world-famous yachtswoman set up the trust on her retirement from long distance solo sailing. In 2005, she broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe.

For Billy and his family there has also been another reason to celebrate. This  week, the youngster who is in remission from his cancer, was given the all clear in his latest set of tests which showed him to be free of the Hodgkins Lymphoma he has been suffering from.

Surprise

Billy's mum, Pip Day, has spoken of the family's relief that he is recovering well and is enjoying a normal life again.

'He is happy and doing well and then he was given this chance of a lifetime which he found to be an amazing experience,' said Pip. 'He did not expect to actually meet Dame Ellen, but when he did it was a huge surprise and getting to hold an Olympic Torch was such a thrill for him.'

Pip says she was contacted by Derriford Hospital Children's Cancer Service and told there was a place for Billy to go sailing with the trust. He was accompanied by his CLIC oncology nurse Janey Smejkal.

Billy was one of 26 children in the party who lived aboard five yachts for the four days, learning basic yachting seamanship, and receiving certificates at the end of the training.