Being able to swim 25 metres may not sound a lot to some people but it is a massive achievement for one young boy.

That’s because Dylon Osborne made the grade despite battling cancer.

The six-year-old, of Hugh Price Close, Murston, was diagnosed with what’s called a Wilms’ tumour on his left kidney on November 20 last year.

After four weeks of chemotherapy at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital he underwent surgery at St George’s Hospital on January 8 to remove the growth and the organ.

His illness meant he had to stop his swimming lessons at the Swallows leisure centre in Sittingbourne.

But less than three months after his operation and despite the fact he was still receiving chemotherapy, the Year 1 St Peter’s Primary School pupil was back in the water.

Mum Emma, 35, said: “He returned to swimming the Thursday before the Easter school holidays but did a crash course while he was off to do his 25-metre badge.

“He had to go every morning for four days. “He got his 15-metres on the Tuesday and his 25-metres two days later.

"That afternoon he had his chemotherapy and then had to go back the next day and swim another 25-metres to show he could do it before getting his badge.”

His efforts led to his swimming teacher Julia Betts nominating him for the Southern Water Learn to Swim Awards.

These are given to children who have shown great courage in overcoming particular difficulties or for exceptional performance while learning to swim. As a result he won an Achiever of the Year accolade.

Emma and dad James, 30, plus his three-year-old brother Harvey looked on proudly as Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew presented the youngster with a medal and goodie bag at a ceremony held at Maidstone leisure centre on June 9.

Mrs Osborne said: “We were cheering and there were a few tears of joy. He still has chemotherapy and that will continue up until July when the doctors decide what the next step is. They’ve said he has a 90% chance of beating it all together.

“He has good and bad days, sometimes he’s poorly through the chemo and walking is difficult, but the majority of times he is just a normal six-year-old boy."