A TEEN eye cancer survivor was guest of honour to launch newly refurbished premises for Vision Express Ruislip, which relocated its services following a fire at the store attended by more than 35 firefighters.

Kelsey Trevett, aged fifteen from South Oxhey, performed a ribbon cut as a special guest of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT).

He was just 16-weeks-old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma in both eyes.

The brave youngster underwent six months of chemotherapy, cryotherapy and laser therapy, as well as lifesaving surgery to remove one of his eyes.

At the age of five, Kelsey’s cancer returned and the treatment he received left him blind in both eyes.

Despite relapsing and suffering further complications following his initial diagnosis, Kelsey has never let his sight problems stand in his way and was even given a prestigious Pride of Britain award in 2010 in recognition for his courage.

Within just six days of the fire in February 2016, a temporary Vision Express store was opened three doors away from where the original one was located.

Following an extensive renovation, customers are now welcomed back to the optician’s home at 112 High Street.

Kelsey and his mum were welcomed into the Ruislip optician by director Paras Vadgama and the store team, which has more than 40 years of combined optical experience.

Paras said: “We were very happy to welcome Kelsey into the store to help us celebrate our relaunch following our unfortunate closure last year.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to restore the original store to its former glory, and it was great to hold a ribbon cutting with Kelsey to officially declare the store open.

“He is a great ambassador because of the courage he’s displayed at such a young age in the face of such adversity, and it was a good opportunity to raise awareness of an aggressive and devastating condition.”