A RHYL child who successfully fought off cancer enjoyed a fun-filled weekend at a first-of-its-kind Disney event.

Noah Buchanan was just months old when he was diagnosed with JML Leukaemia and spent 10 days in intensive care - a period he wasn't expected to make it through.

But brave Noah, who is now five, defied the odds and is now in remission after successful chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

However, he's still had to face shingles, sepsis, MRSA, chicken pox and abscesses - but he is said to "just get on with it".

As a special treat for Noah, and other children who have been through similar ordeals, The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland, Make-A-Wish UK and The Kentown Wizard Foundation have come together to create a unique, first of its kind Disney Wish experience in the UK.

For three weeks in September, the Elvetham Hotel in Hampshire has been transformed into an Enchanted Manor and plays host to 150 families for a magical three-day immersive experience for children who have had their Disney wish put on hold due to the pandemic and related travel restrictions.

Over the course of their stay, Make-A-Wish families can take part in a variety of incredible Disney activities, including a magical breakfast with Mickey and friends; a chance to perfect their web-slinging skills with Spider-Man himself; a Toy Story carnival with Buzz and Woody; Jedi training; story time with Belle, or even meet Anna, Elsa and Olaf, who are visiting from Arendelle.

Several celebrities are getting involved in the Disney Wish experience and lending their support to the wish families by volunteering at the event. Keen to get in on the action, TV presenters Emma Willis and Stephen Mulhern are among the stars spending time with the children and their families, hearing more about their stories and helping make sure they experience all the Mickey-magic and fairy-tale fun.

And as Noah attended the event last weekend, his mum, Kirsty, admitted her emotion at seeing him living life to the full.

She said: "I didn't think he'd get through that period he spent in intensive care - I was preparing myself for the worst. That was a feeling I'll never forget.

"So to see him here five years later is something we never thought would happen - it's absolutely amazing and we're all so thankful.

"The strength of character he's shown through all this has surprised us all - he's an amazing little boy."

Rhyl Journal: Noah with his siblings at the event. (Photo courtesy of James Ingham)Noah with his siblings at the event. (Photo courtesy of James Ingham)

Kirsty says the staff at Alder Hey and Manchester Children's Hospital were "amazing" and that she is forever indebted to them for saving her boy.

She said that ever since the event was announced, Noah has been talking about it everyday - and was especially excited to see his favourite superhero, Spiderman.

"He's missed out on so much of his early childhood, so this has been absolutely amazing for him.

"I just want to say such a huge thank you to Make-a-Wish, Disney and The Kentown Wizard Foundation for doing this for Noah and all the other children."

Deborah Armstrong, senior vice president of Disney UK & Ireland, said: “Through our long history of working with Make-A-Wish, we know the positive impact a Disney wish can have on a child, and that Disney’s storytelling and characters create positive experiences and memories, helping children cope when they most need it.

"So we are so grateful that our phenomenal collaboration with Make-A-Wish and Kentown Wizard means we can restart granting wishes right here in the UK. We couldn’t be more excited to share this experience with these wish families.”

Make-A-Wish chief executive, Jason Suckley, said: “We spoke to 500 of our wish families, who told us that the most important aspect of their child’s Disney wish was a character meet or themed entertainment while enjoying time together as a family.

"It got us thinking that perhaps we could create those experiences in the UK, and we are hugely grateful to Disney, The Kentown Wizard Foundation and a myriad of generous suppliers who have made this possible – bringing light and happiness to 150 families who would otherwise be waiting for a wish.”