A YOUNGSTER who has undergone a remarkable transformation after spending eight months in and out of hospital has been on a dream trip to Disneyland Paris.

Alex Vynne, aged 15, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 13, travelled to the theme park for a three-day stay.

Alex’s father Simon, who lives in Hollins, had previously raised £5,000 for the charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in a 25-mile walk alongside cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham, and was nominated for the holiday by the charity.

Simon said: “It was a very emotional time and was absolutely terrifying. We found out that Alex was ill by pure chance.

“He only had a cough and we went to the doctors, where he had a blood test and we were told there was something wrong and he had to go straight into hospital.”

Alex spent the next eight months undergoing intensive periods of chemotherapy with regular visits to hospital.

Simon, aged 40, added: “It was terrible but thanks to the sort of work the charity does he has now made a recovery.

“The holiday was brilliant. I will admit it is not the sort of holiday I would choose to go on but it was an unbelievable experience.

“Alex surprised us at just how strong he is. I thought because he is a bit older he wouldn’t enjoy it but he really got into the swing of it.”

Simon is separated from Alex’s mother, Joanne Lynch, but both travelled on the trip together with their new families, including Alex’s siblings Eliza, Jesse and Eloise.

Alex, who lives with his mother in Rawtenstall, is now in remission, and has check-ups every three months.