A SERIOUSLY ill boy has had his wish come true by swimming with dolphins.

Riley Townsend, six, from Billericay, travelled to Florida with his family to meet his favourite mammals at Discovery Cove, Orlando.

In April 2012, Riley was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a severe disorder where the filters in his kidneys become leaky and large amounts of protein drainfrom the blood into the urine.

As a result, Riley suffers pain in his legs and joints and requires medication and visits to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He was granted his wish after mum, Tanya, contacted the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He not only got to watch the dolphins performed tricks, but got into the water with them. He and his mum travelled with his grandma and granddad.

Tanya said: “Riley is a very kind, loving boy, who loves to make others happy.

“Riley’s face was amazing when we got to Discovery Cove. He had a huge smile all day. He loved every minute in the water, especially with Kaylee the dolphin, and even named his dolphin teddy after her.

“We can’t thank Starlight enough –- it meant so much to us as a family and to forget about hospital was a huge weight lifted.

“The best thing of all was to see Riley wearing a huge smile and having fun.”