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Young cancer fighter Jamie Inglis is back in BFG after successfully completing revolutionary antibody treatment in America made possible by donations from around the world.

Soldier’s son Jamie, who turned five in August, sailed through his last round of antibodies with immunotherapy at a hospital in Philadelphia to cheers from his parents, baby sister and nurses.

Vicky and John Inglis are thrilled that their son is in remission after six months in the US but are also cautiously optimistic and taking each day at a time.

Speaking to Sixth Sense just before flying back to Germany last week, John, a staff sergeant with the RAMC said: “It’s early days but for now, he’s in remission and improving every day.

“Every day cancer free is a bonus. But Jamie has a lot of catching up to do; he needs to grow.”

The Serviceman added: “We’re in a phase where we’re nervous but quietly positive and won’t be able to relax for many years. However, the doctors are also positive about Jamie’s future.”

An international fund-raising effort has so far raised an impressive £400,000 to cover the cost of the potentially life-saving immunotherapy, including almost €200,000 raised by BFG and the Mönchengladbach community.

However, the medical bills are expected to top €500,000, so the Keep Jamie Smiling appeal is far from wrapped up.

Jamie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, after falling ill while at nursery in JHQ in April 2009.

Before the pioneering treatment in the US, Jamie spent nine months receiving chemotherapy in the University Hospital Düsseldorf of which the last seven weeks were spent receiving high dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation.

He was left with a 30 per cent chance of surviving the disease.

Writing on her family’s online blog, Vicky said: “When we heard the machine beeping, to mark the end of the infusion, we all cheered.

“As soon as he was disconnected from some of the wires, his nurse took a photo for us to mark the end of this chapter in Jamie’s treatment.

“He sailed through this round of antibodies – what a star and he is out of hospital. The antibodies are all over and I am still in shock. This is an amazing feeling and Jamie is so happy.”

When Jamie was at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he was spending quality time with his family, who were housed nearby, and being taken on short trips.

John said: “It was an adventure in the US but not exactly a holiday. Jamie’s received top level treatment that, unfortunately, is not available to all families who find themselves in the same situation.

“I’m in awe of the people who’ve put themselves out doing fund-raisers ranging from a chest wax to cycling across Germany. We are grateful for the continued support.

“It’s been a huge collaborative effort by the military and civilian communities. It’s restored our faith in humanity.

“We send out a huge thank you to a long list of people who have helped us.”

He added: “I am looking forward to coming back to thank everyone. I miss my job and my comrades, and I’m looking forward to resuming a more normal life.

“Hopefully we will have closure in October if scans show Jamie is cancer free.”

Vicky, a primary school teacher, added: “Thank you so much to everyone who has helped get us to the US and seen this thing through with us.”

For information on how to donate to the Keep Jamie Smiling Appeal, run a fund-raising event, or to find out more about neuroblastoma, visit: www.justgiving.com/jamie-appeal

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From singers to pin-up girls, the Singing for Soldiers ladies have recently undergone a transformation in preparation for the second part of their charity venture – their 2011 calendar.

The girls posed for pictures alongside their sponsors Strassberger Immobilien aboard a vintage red double-decker bus in Paderborn with 40s style hair and make-up to give a flavour of the calendar’s design.

Director and founder of Singing for Soldiers Stacey Fisher said: “We have been working hard on our single The Promise for the last few months and things are really coming together.

“It is due out for release in October so we thought why not produce a calendar for release at the same time.

“We opted for the 40s theme because of the similarities we share with the wives of soldiers fighting during the Second World War, and although we are in different times and in a different kind of society, the struggles and anxiety we face today is very comparable to the struggles they faced.”

The glamorous photos were shot during August with the girls replicating many of the styles fashionable during that time.

Although some of the girls will appear in swim-wear Stacey insists it is not going to be a pin-up shoot.

She said: “We had a two-day window to get the pictures right for the 2011 calendar. We scoured for vintage clothes and already had our hair and make-up tried and tested to give us a flavour of what it would be like.

“Hopefully, with the right props and clothes, we can produce a tasteful calendar that reflects the 1940s.”

The girls have chosen Afghan Heroes and Macmillan Cancer Support as the beneficiaries of the money they raise.

Despite most of the girls juggling children and jobs, they still volunteered their time and efforts for these worthy causes.

Mum of two toddlers Stacey said: “This venture has taken up a lot of our time but the benefits are worth it. All of the team are dedicated to producing a good single and calendar to help raise valuable funds for two very worthy causes but also to raise awareness of us, as wives, who support our husbands on their deployments or long exercises 100 per cent, no matter what.”

Both the single and the calendar will be launched during a party on October 15. To buy tickets for the launch party, or to pre-order the single The Promise, or the 1940s style calendar visit www.singingforsoldiers.co.uk.

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SCE children from across the globe have had their poems and short stories published in a book which will help to raise funds for a special Forces’ charity.

The Little Book of Heroes, which was officially launched in the UK in July, was published by Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd, who approached SCE at the beginning of the year and invited schools to take part in the project.

The only stipulation was that the children and young people wrote either a poem or short story based on the theme ‘Hero’.

The response was fantastic and after careful consideration by a panel of judges at SCE headquarters, the final selection was made and 172 poems made it into the book.

With no shortage of ideas the children wrote an array of great poems and stories – some funny and some which will make you cry.

Family members who are either serving on the front line or who have previously served their country and risked their lives was the topic most older children chose. While the younger children had a slightly different take on the whole hero theme.

As with most children of primary school age they focused on super heroes or people who played a key role in their lives including grandparents, brothers, sisters etc.

The project was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part in making The Little Book of Heroes, which will not only boost the coffers of the Forces’ charity Help for Heroes but will also help boost the morale of all of the Service personnel bravely fighting for their country.

The book can be purchased from any outlets of WH Smiths, Waterstones and Morrisons Supermarket. The cost is £2.99 of which 75p will go to Help for Heroes. The book can also be purchased on line at: www.littlebookofheroes.co.uk.

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