Surprise for cancer sufferer as he is given flight in bucket-list 'copter

And now, the 61-year-old grandfather can tick it off his wish list after a visit to Wolverhampton's Halfpenny Green Airport.

Mr Smith, who has terminal cancer, was simply expecting to be shown around and get up close with some helicopters at the airport – he never for a second thought he'd be flying one after just a short tutorial.

"I thought I was just going to go and have a look but it turned out it was an flight tutorial," said Mr Smith, a representative for men's cancer charity Balls to Cancer. "I couldn't believe I was going to fly and land a helicopter.

"They showed me what buttons do what and I was on my way.

"We had amazing weather and it was an unbelievable experience."

Mr Smith, a husband, father and grandfather from Hill Top, West Bromwich, was diagnosed with penile melanoma in 2012.

He has helped out with various Balls to Cancer fundraising events since joining as a member and believes the charity deserves all the recognition it gets.

He said: "When I was told I had cancer, I wanted to do something positive with my time.

"I looked at the male cancer charities out there and this one stood out.

"It is an excellent charity and the things they are doing to help people are wonderful.

"Male cancer can get swept under the rug but they have managed to raise so much awareness alongside the funds and general support they give."

Getting behind the controls of a helicopter had been a long term goal for Mr Smith, who had listed the activity on his bucket list.

He said: "I think Mark, who started the charity, must have seen my list as we worked together because one day he asked if I was still interested.

"He just told me to leave it with him.

"When I actually got to fly today I was so happy, I will never forget it.

"Saying thank you doesn't do the experience I have had justice but I am thankful for the people who have made this possible."

Balls to Cancer is working to a nationwide awareness campaign through the media and social networks to try to make both men and women more aware of the dangers of cancer, with the belief that prevention is the key. Its fundraising events range from races to football matches, climbing mountains and bungee jumping.

Mark Bates, co founder of the charity, said: "It is all part of what we do as a charity.

"We want to give people days to remember while they are fighting cancer.

"We have known Nigel since we started the charity, he is part of the team. We wanted to give him something to remember and that is exactly what we achieved."

In recent years, Nigel has dedicated his life to raising awareness of melanoma, a rare and serious type of cancer that begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body through the charity.

He has posted regular updates on his condition through the official Balls to Cancer website.

The latest update read: "The situation is grave but I will continue to fight in the hope that that I see a reducement ."