A Lampeter dad who saved the life of a cancer patient 6,600 miles away has been flown around the world on a trip of a lifetime by his grateful recipient – who tracked him down.

Milton Becker, 69, was close to death and in desperate need of a bone marrow donor when a two-and-a-half year global search linked him with an anonymous Welshman.

Emyr Williams, 54, was a near-perfect match, and his bone marrow was flown to Canada and given to Milton, who was declared cancer free.

The pair were linked up by the donation database and grew close via phone calls and Facebook messages.

And last year Milton invited retired carpenter Emyr to Canada for a two-week $15,000 (£9,000) trip around Alberta and the Rocky Mountains.

Meeting him for the first time at the airport, wearing a Welsh dragon T-shirt and a Wales flag, they formed an instant bond.

Milton said he’s “indebted” to his hero – and is planning a UK trip.

Dad-of-three Emyr said: “It was surreal to be out there.

“There’s this bond between us like no other.

“It was only when we went out there that we really understood how close to death Milton was.

“One of his friends said he had been finalising plans to be at his funeral.

“He was at death’s door.

“Something that required no real effort at all saved that great man’s life.

“And to have the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh and to be introduced to his family was just an honour.”

Granddad-of-two Milton, from Alberta, Canada, added: “We got on so well and I just thought I’ve got to thank this guy.

“I didn’t want him to spend a penny. It was my treat.

“It’s not about the money. What he did was priceless.

“I’m forever indebted to the guy.”

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