A youngster who battled a rare form of eye cancer can take part in sports safely thanks to a pair of protective goggles.

Luca Ascheri, nine, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma in December 2004, when he was just four months old.

He underwent several years of treatment after tumours developed in both eyes, and although his condition is now stable, his sight has been left impaired.

Vision Express in Sittingbourne teamed up with the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) to offer the eyewear to the year-five pupil so he could participate fully in sports activities at
Bobbing school.

Parents Kellie and Dean, of Anatase Close, Sonora Fields, are thrilled with the goggles, as is the youngster. Mrs Ascheri said: “We have always said it would be nice for him to have them.

“He has been left with peripheral sight in his left eye and scattered vision in his right. Because he’s had so much treatment, his eyes are extremely delicate.

“If he was to take a knock, his retina could become detached, and he could lose his sight altogether. A lot of children with his condition lose their sight in one or both eyes, so he’s done well to still have it in both. It’s quite rare.

“He uses the goggles for dodgeball and other ball techniques – anything where the ball is flying around and he could get knocked.

“They look a bit like swimming goggles and cost about £80 to buy, so we’re very grateful to Vision Express for giving them to him.

“I think they will last him a while. He’s pleased with them, and because the other children know about his condition it’s not an issue.

“I think the fact one of the sports teachers also wears them helps.”

Joy Felgate, chief executive for CHECT, said: “We discovered some children affected by retinoblastoma were not taking part in sports because of the risk to their remaining vision.

“We were delighted when Vision Express offered to help out in such a personal way.”

Store manager Jodie Bryant said: “We hope they enable him to participate in activities that he may have missed out on otherwise.

“His bravery and cheerfulness is an inspiration to all of us.”

Another one of Luca’s wishes came true when he met singer Olly Murs.

The meeting, which was arranged by the charity Rays of Sunshine, took place at the Millennium Hotel in London.

Other children aged between three and 18 with serious or life-limiting illnesses were also invited along on the day.

Luca was accompanied by his parents Kellie and Dean and his seven-year-old brother Callum.

Mrs Ascheri said: “Luca just loves Olly. We were in there for ages.

"Luca had lots of questions for him, like where does he live, if he’s got a helicopter, is he a Gills supporter, and about his time on the X Factor.

“At the end he was given a goodie bag, which had Olly’s CD inside, signed pictures and other bits and pieces.”