A BRAVE youngster's fight against leukaemia has been recognised with a special award from Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens.

Freddie Campbell, from Norton, near Malton, has just completed his first year of treatment and recently celebrated his sixth birthday.

He has been chosen to help launch the charity's Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, that recognise the courage of children with cancer.

On Halloween 2017, Freddie complained of his legs hurting and that he was feeling tired. He went to bed and woke up the next morning and started to limp.

Following a visit to the doctors, he was sent to Scarborough General Hospital and for two days he underwent a series of tests to find out what was going on. He was then sent to Leeds Children’s Hospital for further tests, including a lumber puncture and bone marrow aspirate. A few days later, just before Freddie’s fifth birthday, the family were given the news that he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) – a cancer of the white blood cells.

Freddie in hospital during his treatment

His mother Zoe said: “The bottom dropped out of our world when we were given the diagnosis. We were absolutely devastated.

“We’d been looking forward to Freddie’s 5th birthday party on the Saturday, but the day before his party we were given his diagnosis and told he had to start chemotherapy right away. We had to cancel the party. On the morning of his 5th birthday he had lost his mobility and couldn’t walk.

“It’s been really difficult, but Freddie’s strength and positivity throughout this whole ordeal has kept us going. He’s taking it all in his stride and carrying on with life. Even if he wakes up and is ill from his chemotherapy, he still gets up, has his breakfast and wants to go to school."

The youngster was able to walk again by Christmas 2017, however, he still has chemotherapy followed by five days of steroids, alongside daily oral chemotherapy.

She added: “Freddie is back at school full-time now and has caught up on all of the work he missed during his intensive treatment. We’re getting on with our ‘new normal life’ as we call it and Freddie’s strength is amazing. He’s funny and bubbly and is positive, no matter what he goes through.

He has received his very own Star Award from Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens for his courage and “inner strength and resilience” which have inspired so many people.

Jaelithe Brown, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens in the North East, said: “Freddie is a real star. He’s so inspiring and it’s wonderful to see his courage being recognised with a Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Award. He has been through so much at such a young age.

“Cancer can have a devastating impact on children and young people and many of those who survive may live with serious long-term side effects from their treatment."

To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens