SCHOOLBOY Rory Kirkland is celebrating being on the road to recovery from leukaemia by going on a charity bike ride with his family.

Rory, eight, from Portland, has been getting his confidence and strength back after eight months of treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a successful bone marrow transplant.

Rory dreamed of riding his bike while in hospital and now wants to take on a nine-mile ride for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity.

He will be heading off on a circular route from Crossways Village Hall with his dad Hamish, 47, mum Lyn, 49, and his big brother Calum, 10.

The family has been practising on their bikes after Rory’s consultant at Southampton Hospital told him he does not need to return for a month.

And he has gone back to Southwell Primary School after missing most of his Year Three.

Rory got home in May and his family has since been on holiday to Exmoor and Dartmoor in a motorhome to enjoy being together instead of Hamish and Lyn taking it in turns to be at Rory’s bedside in hospital.

Hamish, of High Street, Southwell, said: “We are just enjoying what we’ve got now.

“When you contrast it with where we’ve been it’s a completely different world and he’s making such reassuring progress too.

“He’s stronger and he’s running and playing football again and going back to school.”

Rory was diagnosed last October and by March this year he had undergone his third round of chemotherapy.

At one point he had to take 30 pills a day as part of his treatment.

In March, Rory underwent a bone marrow transplant at Bristol Hospital after a donor came forward through the Anthony Nolan Trust.

After the transplant, Rory had to spend a month in isolation, with his mum and dad taking it in turns to stay with him and Calum, also living in Bristol at the Clic Sargent house there.

Lyn said: “Being in isolation was like being in prison and it was difficult for Calum as they are very close.

She added: “Sometimes it’s like it was a bad dream and sometimes I can’t believe it.

“But I’m still in touch with a lot of other mums from that time and that’s important.”

The identity of Rory’s donor is kept anonymous but they have been told she is a woman from Germany. They have been able to exchange letters and gifts.

The family sent a silver heart charm and received a key ring in the shape of an angel.

Lyn said Rory also sent his donor a letter saying ‘Dear Donor, Thank you for saving my life.’ Rory’s family is also saying a big thank-you to everybody who has helped them in the last year.