A boy with leukaemia “got to see the Loch Ness Monster” after a charity came forward to help him fulfil his wish to visit Scotland.
Zachary White has endured surgery, chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant since he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in February.
The five-year-old from Bracknell, Berkshire, is “obsessed with Scotland” and his greatest wish was to visit the country, watch ice hockey, see bagpipers and find Nessie.
Zachary was given a kit of binoculars, compass, magnifying glass and a handheld torch.
After an hour out on the water on Tuesday, he noticed something way off in the distance.
He said: “I spotted Nessie – I can’t believe that I got to see the Loch Ness Monster.
“Not many people get to see her and I got to see her.
“She was green and scaly, a bit like a dinosaur, but a friendly monster.”
Rays of Sunshine – a charity for seriously ill children aged three to 18 across the UK – grants wishes and provides support within hospitals.
Zachary’s trip meant it has reached a milestone of 7,000 wishes granted.
Jane Sharpe, Rays of Sunshine chief executive, said: “I am so thrilled that we were able to make Zachary’s wish come true and in such a spectacular style.
“This wish clearly came from Zachary’s own imagination, inspiring the Rays of Sunshine team to go above and beyond to create the most magical experience possible.”