A TEENAGER from Chippenham who received the all-clear after suffering from cancer was granted his magical wish to visit Harry Potter World in Orlando.

Ed Austin, 17, suffered from Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare disease where cancer cells affect the bone of soft tissue. Diagnosed aged 14, Ed went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as having an operation.

His mum Nicola Austin said: “It all started when Ed noticed that his rib was poking out. We assumed that this must have happened whilst he was playing rugby, as he was very fit and active at the time. The rib began to swell so I took Ed to the doctor to have it checked out - the next thing we knew we’d been referred to Bath hospital for scans and they asked to keep Ed in overnight.”

After having two ribs taken out so that the tumour could be removed, Ed lost a quarter of his body weight and his hair. Having to spend a lot of time in hospital, Ed missed a lot of time at Hardenhuish but the school arranged for him to have a tutor which helped him keep up with work and achieve five GCSEs.

After receiving the all-clear in July 2014, Ed was referred for a Starlight Wish by Clic Sargent, which arranged the magical trip to America.

Mrs Austin said: “The three years from Ed’s diagnosis were incredibly tough from start to finish but he handled it all witch such bravery and maturity and was constantly putting others before himself.

“When Ed was referred for a Starlight Wish and received the forms confirming that he was eligible, his reaction was ‘But surely there are other children who need this more than I do?’ Despite everything he’d gone through, he still wasn’t sure that he deserved it.”

After deciding he wanted to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, Ed received a call from Starlight with some special news.

“I’ll never forget the day that Ed’s wishgranter Amy called. She said she had some news regarding Ed’s wish and so I passed the phone over to Ed. Ed wouldn’t be visiting the studio in London, he would be visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, he was speechless,” added Mrs Austin.

Mrs Austin said the effect of the trip on the whole family had been nothing short of magical.

"Ed was full of beans and the happiest I've seen him in a long time. There were so many jaw-dropping moments, he simply couldn't believe his eyes. We cannot thank Starlight enough for the trip of a lifetime. This was Ed's first time abroad and we never could have done it without Starlight. Ed's wish really symbolises a new chapter for us as a family - Starlight have given us so many happy memories to start us off on this new journey. Ed smiles from ear to ear every time he talks about his wish - we’re all still on Cloud Nine."