Nearly 12 months after an appeal was launched to help send a young Tenby boy, who is battling his second bout of cancer, on the holiday of a lifetime to Florida, the dream seems almost a reality.
Plucky 12-year-old Daniel Burrows, of 13 Knowling Mead, is on the road to recovery after successfully coming through major surgery for a rare form of cancer, having already beaten the disease as a toddler.
After an appeal was launched in the Observer last July, the local community rallied together and many successful fund-raising events have been held, and now Daniel, a pupil at Greenhill School, is looking forward to his trip to the States when his treatment ends.
So touched by all the kindness they have received, here his mother, Cheryl, pays tribute to all those who have helped her son so far:
"In November, Daniel completed his 10th and final course of chemotherapy which had done its job to make his operation a more positive than possible operation.
"It was very good news, for Daniel had crossed over the first bridge and now we were getting ready for the second of many bridges to come.
"On December 1, we were admitted to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield, Birmingham, for his major surgery.
"The following morning we went down to theatre. We had mixed feelings and of course there were tears of the unknowing, but we were strong and Daniel was always a fighter and, like all parents with a child having a major operation, there was the worry.
"The team and Mr. Grimer, who was conducting the operation, got him ready and before he went to sleep he asked me to get him a Playstation 2 game that he'd always wanted. I promised him that I would. I also told myself that he was in good hands and that he'd be well looked after. I gave him a kiss and said 'see you later'; he then was asleep.
"It was the longest day of my life. My husband Danny and daughter Ayisha were home in Tenby awaiting my 'phone calls, which were regular. Finally, at 7.30 pm, I was called down to the High Dependency Unit. Daniel was out of surgery and, yes, his first words to me were 'Hiya Mum, did you get me the game?'
"During the next two weeks, Daniel became stronger and back to his normal self; he had really been through hell and back. The specialist nurses and doctors thought he was a wonderful boy, so caring and thoughtful.
"The operation was successful and on week three we were moved to a children's ward where the physiotherapists got to work with Daniel.
"He was determined to be home for Christmas. He said at times like this Christmas is not just for presents, it is to be home together as a family. God bless him, and if the operation wasn't enough in itself, it had caused other problems that were taking time to heal, but eventually against the odds we were discharged from Ward 11 on December 23 - we were going home for Christmas.
"It was a wonderful Christmas, the best that a family could ever have. Another bridge was crossed with success.
"We had a clinic visit to the children's centre in Glangwili with Daniel's consultant, Dr. Gwyneth Owen; a follow-up to see how Daniel was doing. Dr. Owen said that when the tumour was removed, activity was found in it and to be safe he would need radiotherapy. It seemed devastating news, but Daniel knew that he had to go through with it if it meant the cancer wouldn't come back.
"On Thursday, March 6, he started his radiotherapy. It meant 32 treatments over six weeks, daily from Monday to Friday. It was tiring for us all as Danny and myself were alternating days so we could have a break, but Daniel took the journey to and from Velindre in Whitchurch, near Cardiff, as a day away. He flew through the treatments, never complaining, and his consultant in Llandough, Dr. Heidi Traniker, was so pleased with his mobility and his recovery. He finally finished his radiotherapy on Thursday, April 17. He had crossed his third bridge.
"Daniel has been and still is a fighter, a really remarkable young man who believes life is important, and he is trying his best to live his life to the fullest. We, his entire family, are very proud of him and his grandmother has written to the Pembrokeshire Star award nominating him for an award. We have heard back from them and have been invited to attend the Conference Centre in Haverfordwest on Thursday, May 1.
"Daniel, we his parents, Danny and Cheryl, and sister Ayisha would like to thank Dr. Iwan Griffiths, Daniel's GP, Dr. Gwyneth Owen, Rowena, liaison nurse, and staff from the Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, Dr. Heidi Traniker, Daniel's oncology consultant, the ward's nurses and doctors from Llandough hospital; thank you to Mr. Grimer and his team, the nurses in the High Dependency Unit and on Ward 11 in the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, and the physiotherapists both in Birmingham and here. Thanks also to Jayne, the community nurse based in Withybush Hospital, and the local district nurses, and to Mr. Peter Warren and Gary O'Connor, volunteer ambulance drivers, who were so kind and caring through this whole ordeal.
"We appreciate all the kindness and support from these people mentioned who have given Daniel something to live for.
"He has also been over the moon to receive portraits of Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Sir Alex Ferguson, which were hand-painted by a fellow cancer sufferer, Billy from Brighton.
"We hope that Daniel can now live his life to the best that he can like a typical 12-year-old and hope that with his strong will and determination he will finally walk.
"Thank you all so very much for the fund-raising that local people have done so far. The fund has now been turned into a trust, with the trustees being Mr. Peter Brown, of the Prince of Wales, chairman, and Mrs. Lesley Fisher from Tenby House.
"Numerous containers are still about the town raising money for Daniel's after-care, which is a priority, and to try and give him a better way of life. The trust/fund is still at the NatWest Bank in Tenby and I've been told that more fund-raising for Daniel will be taking place.
"Thank you all so much, you have made a young boy so proud.
"Daniel will be going to Florida next year as he says he wants to enjoy it to the fullest and now would be too soon as he is still in recovery. We are also hoping to visit his grandmother and two aunties in Bermuda at the same time.
"Before then though, there are still more operations and bridges to go, plus regular clinic visits to Carmarthen, Cardiff and Birmingham, but for the time being, he is enjoying spending time at home and playing with his friends William Cloude and Christopher Thomas.
"A further update on Daniel will follow in the near future.
"Once again, thanks to everyone for your kindness, we will never forget what you have done."