A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy with leukaemia got to “see” the Loch Ness Monster after a charity came forward to help him fulfil his wish.
Zachary White has had surgery, chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant since he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in February.
His family say he is “obsessed with Scotland” and his greatest wish was to visit the country, watch ice hockey, see bagpipers and find Nessie. Children’s charity Rays of Sunshine enlisted the help of Loch Ness Cruises – and a Nessie prop – to arrange a hunt for the mysterious monster.
Zachary, from Bracknell, Berkshire, was given a kit of binoculars, compass, magnifying glass and a handheld torch.
After an hour out on the water yesterday, he noticed something way off in the distance. He said: “I spotted Nessie – I can’t believe that I got to see the Loch Ness Monster. She was green and scaly, a bit like a dinosaur, but a friendly monster.”
His parents, Katie and Mark, said: “Seeing him back to his old self, so excited and smiling, has been fantastic.”
Rays of Sunshine, a charity for seriously ill children aged three to 18 across the UK, grants wishes and provides support within hospitals. Zachary’s trip meant it has reached a milestone of 7000 wishes granted.
Chief executive Jane Sharpe said: “I am so thrilled we were able to make Zachary’s wish come true and in such a spectacular style. This wish clearly came from Zachary’s own imagination, inspiring our team to go above and beyond to create the most magical experience possible.”
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