Little Oliver wins bravery award (From Wiltshire Times)

Little Oliver wins bravery award

12:22pm Friday 27th April 2007 in

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A FOUR-YEAR-OLD schoolboy, who is battling leukaemia, received a special award yesterday in recognition of his incredible bravery.

Oliver Ladd, from Hawkeridge Village, near Westbury, who has Downs Syndrome, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in April last year and faces another two years of treatment.

He was presented with a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award by teachers at Stepping Stones, Trowbridge, an opportunity group for pre-school children with special needs, who nominated him.

As well as being presented with a Little Star trophy, Oliver received a certificate signed by a host of celebrities, including Kylie Minogue and the BBC Blue Peter presenters, Zoe Salmon and Konnie Huq.

Oliver recently left Stepping Stones to start at Westbury Infant School.

His mum Fiona said: "I cannot praise them enough for all the support they have given Oliver and us. At Stepping Stones every child matters.

"I don't think Oliver would have been able to join mainstream school without the fantastic help he had there.

Debbie Wickham, team leader of the opportunity group, added: "Oliver is the most delightful and engaging little boy who has attended our opportunity group for children with special needs since March 2003.

"We have been lucky enough to work with him, providing therapy and specialist support to help him to meet his developmental milestones.

"Oliver is a bundle of curiosity and enthusiasm - a real live wire who keeps everyone on their toes. It was a huge shock to everyone when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, but true to form he continued to demonstrate his resilience.

"Everyone knows Oliver! He has always been a star performer but in facing cancer he has shone particularly brightly."

Mrs Ladd said Oliver's symptoms had been worsened by Downs Syndrome, which reduced his immune system, but he had faced his cancer treatment will great spirit.

"He has a smile for everyone - even the doctors who have to do horrible things. He is very forgiving. Even when he was really sick, he had a smile. He never moans and only cried when something really hurt him."

Fiona and husband, Phil, also have two other sons, Sam 15 and Joe 13.

She added: "I am very proud of all three. They have all been through a lot."

Cancer is the most common cause of death from illness in children aged between one and 14.

Each year, about 1,500 children in the UK are diagnosed with the disease - that is one in every 500. Today, more than seven out of ten children with cancer are successfully treated and over 80 per cent survive the most common childhood leukaemia.

Cancer Research UK is the largest single supporter of children's cancer research and is dedicated to improving specialist care so that new ways of treating, curing and preventing the disease can be found.

The charity's Little Star awards are held annually and are open to all under-16s who have personally experienced cancer.