JAY Wheeler is a 17-year-old boy living a happy and fairly normal life, but just over two years ago he was told the devastating news that he had a cancerous brain tumour.

He had an operation to remove the tumour and then had to endure 15 months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He said: "The chemotherapy was just a really grim time. I lost a lot of weight through being sick and I lost my hair, which I didn't deal with very well, but I am through it now.

"I am in remission at the moment but because of the type of tumour I had the doctors are expecting it to grow back within the next 10 to 15 years. I am not too worried about it though because there's a really high chance that it won't be malignant.

"Hopefully I will be given the all clear but it's just a waiting game. I will have to carry on seeing doctors and having MRI scans for the rest of my life as a precaution, but I'm just going to take it in my stride really.

"I am very happy at the moment. I am going to parties with my friends and I am just having fun. I have joined a band as well which is good."

Jay, who lives in Fleming Avenue, Ruislip, is now working with Teenage Cancer Trust to help raise £3m to build dedicated facilities for young people.

He said: "These facilities are needed because after the operation to remove my brain tumour I got stuck in a children's ward where there were loads of kids and cartoons all over the walls and it just wasn't a very comfortable situation.

"It can be an incredibly isolating and frightening experience having cancer, only made worse by being put on a ward with no-one your own age.

"When I was going through my treatment on Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at UCH in London I got to meet other young people going through the same thing as me and this can’t be underestimated.

"I would love to help raise money for the appeal and I have been keeping in touch with the charity to see how I can get involved. I am thinking of holding a fundraising event at my school."

Jay joined singer songwriter Newton Faulkner at the launch of the appeal at Hever Castle in Kent on July 1.

He said: "I was a fan of Newton when I was going through my chemotherapy so it was absolutely incredible to meet him. You couldn't meet a nicer guy. He had only just got back from performing at Glastonbury as well so he didn't even stop to rest. I met his brother and his mum as well and that's not something you get to do everyday. It was really great."

Jay is currently studying for a Media BTEC at Haydon School Sixth Form, in Wiltshire Lane, Eastcote, and is hoping to get a production job in the film or television industry.

"Having cancer has definitely matured me. I have grown up a tremendous amount. I still like to go out and have fun with my friends but I have a better understanding of things now," said Jay.

"My advice to anyone who is the same situation I was in is to stay positive and keep in touch with your friends because they are the most important thing along with your family."