A BOY recovering from a rare brain tumour took the helm on a four-day yachting adventure.

Daniel Bainbridge was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 as a baby, a common condition that can cause tumours to grow on nerves in his body.

Daniel, 10 from Abingdon, had to have annual check-ups at the John Radcliffe Hospital in case he developed optic pathway glioma – a slow-growing tumour of the brain that grows behind the optic nerve.

However, his mum Julia’s worst fears came true when doctors found evidence of the tumour, confirmed with an MRI scan in 2013.

The Dunmore Primary School pupil had to have nearly eight months of chemotherapy to treat the condition, but was given the all clear in October last year.

Mrs Bainbridge said: “Obviously it’s devastating to have that sort of news. It was very difficult.

“It was quite a slow growing cancer, but because it’s on the optic nerve it can and does affect vision and because of where it is it cannot be removed.

“His tumour is now stable so he is doing really well.”

Although Daniel had to miss his school’s Year 4 residential trip last year because of his chemotherapy, he was offered a place on a sailing trip organised by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Oxford Mail:

Daniel had his wish of driving a steam train granted by the Starlight Children’s Foundation in February and is pictured aboard the 3650 with driver Maurice Williams                                                          

Daniel joined 25 other young cancer survivors to crew five 42ft to 48ft cruising yachts for four days of sailing from the Isle of Wight around the Solent.

The group left East Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight, on August 3 and spent four days at sea, visiting Yarmouth Harbour and the bay of Newtown Creek for a barbecue before returning.

The group not only had to help sail the large yachts, but also did cooking and chores.

Daniel said: “I was a bit nervous to come to the Isle of Wight but I have really enjoyed it. I definitely would recommend it to others.

“It was quite good to meet other people who have had the same cancer as me.”

Mother-of-two Mrs Bainbridge said she was very nervous about her son going on the trip, but delighted he got his adventure away from home.

She added: “He liked the sailing.

“Because of the chemo he wasn’t able to do the Year 4 residential trip at school, so the Ellen MacArthur sailing was the first chance for him to be away from the family.

“He has now had that adventure of being away from the family.

“He absolutely adored it. He is very much an outdoors child, he likes to be doing things, he enjoyed meeting new people and loved being out there.

“It has been absolutely brilliant for him to be given the opportunity. I was obviously very nervous.”

Daniel also had his wish of riding a steam train granted by the Starlight Children’s Foundation in February when he was given the chance to pilot the 76-year-old 3650 steam engine at Didcot Railway Centre through children’s charity Starlight.