I am an archer. I am not a cancer survivor. It does not define me

dovetails with his school week.

He has gained sponsorship from a local engineering company, Egger.

His love of sport has seen him become an accomplished archer and he competes at a national level, with sponsorship from Red Frog, an archery shop.

“Cameron is so determined and independent,” his mum, Karen, said. “He grew up undergoing treatment for cancer and its after effects. He never wants any form of pity or sympathy but instead likes to get the best out of life. We are immensely proud of him.”

Hospital appointments continued to check his cancer had not returned and exploring ways of overcoming nerve pain.

They were always another opportunity for him to persuade doctors to carry out an amputation. But the doctors t o l d Ca m e r o n to be patient and consider how irreversible and radical within days followed with first fittings for a prosthetic leg. Just 11 days after surgery his surgeon gave him the go- ahead to represent Scotland in the Junior National Outdoor Archery Championships at Lilleshall in Shropshire.

He emerged ranked 23rd nationally in the under-18s. He is third in Scotland.

“I don’t see myself as brave nor do I want anyone else to,” said Cameron. “I have just done what was vital to live my life to the full.

“I am an archer. I am not a cancer survivor. I am not an amputee. These are things that happened to me but do not define me.

“We all deal with challenges every day to the best of our ability and we carry on.

“If we manage to find time to train for a sport we love with our friends is that not the definition of dedication?” Cameron is now ranked third in the under- 18s for archery in Scotland and 23rd nationally after his sterling performance at the games. He has also been chosen to go through to phase two of the Paralympic selection process… in cycling and canoeing.

“If you want something in life, go for it,” he said. Clinical psychologist, Dr Simon Stuart, said: “It’s wonderful and inspirational for people to make radical changes and go forward to lead an improved life.

“In my experience, if someone is well informed of all the potential outcomes, making informed decisions can be hugely beneficial.”