Winner Will: Rio trip felt really good

William Fedden returns to Chadderton McDonald's restaurant after his Rio competition experience.

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy has returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Rio after winning a competition.

William Fedden was given the opportunity to appear in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games watched by billions of viewers around the world.

The youngster from Royton was selected at random after recreating Usain Bolt's famous lightning pose wearing a Superman outfit.

He was one of 100 children from 18 countries to win the McDonald's Olympics Kids competition, which included a five-night stay in an all-inclusive hotel.

Mum Joanne Pilkington (41) and William left Royton for four-star Hilton Barra in Rio de Janeiro three days before the opening ceremony.

William, one of two children from the UK to be selected, said: "My favourite part was probably the opening ceremony.

"It was like a festival and you forget that you are on TV.

"It felt really good to be there and my friends were very very jealous."

The Thornham St James Primary School pupil strode out in the opening ceremony with the German, Liberian and British Virgin Islands team on August 5, wearing a uniform including white trousers.

Dinner lady Miss Pilkington said: "I was sat with all the parents of the children selected for the trip and we didn't know what to expect.

"It was a lovely surprise when we found out that they would be joining participating teams.

"We only found out a few days before the trip that we were going and we just could not believe that he had been selected.

"We were so well looked-after.

"I felt guilty leaving my partner behind."

William and his mum also watched a live Olympic tennis match, visited the Olympic Village and saw the Olympic flame being lit.

Further excursions included a visit to see the Christ the Redeemer statue, samba dancing and a street carnival.

Miss Pilkington said: "The hotel was full of children and there was a play room where all the children could go, with Xboxes, board games and other interactive activities.

"They took us samba dancing - we were given brightly-coloured crowns to wear and the children were taught how to dance with live bands.

"I can't say just how wonderful the whole trip was."

On their return, William and his mum met with franchisee Gerald Thompson at his nearest McDonald's restaurant in Chadderton Broadway, Jardine Way.

Mr Thompson said: "It was fantastic to award William with the amazing prize of going to Rio 2016 and we are all so pleased for him that he was able to have such unforgettable experiences.

"Both the send-off and the welcome home ceremonies we had here at the restaurant were lovely events and William certainly had some stories to tell."