Alfie's hoping for the all-clear

Nov 17 2008 By Ed Saunt, Staines News

Six-year-old cancer sufferer Alfie Ward has successfully finished his radiotherapy treatment and his mum hopes he could be given the all-clear in four months time.

In May, doctors removed a tumour from Alfie's pelvis that they had found in December 2007 and, although he is still on a six-month course of drugs, the bubbly Chelsea fan is back at Spelthorne Infant School in Ashford Common, full-time.

He has impressed friends, family and teachers with his bravery and has even met his idol - England and Chelsea captain John Terry.

Mum Shelley King said: "He's doing really, really well. It was quite an intense course of radiotherapy but he's a little soldier and would come out smiling every day. The doctors are very pleased with him and hopefully we will get the all-clear after his scans in March."

Alfie, of Fisk Close, Sunbury, has settled perfectly back into life at the Chertsey Road school and has been enjoying getting to know his six-month-old baby brother, Bailey.

Nurses have visited Alfie's school to talk to staff about his condition, his classmates have had special lessons learning about cancer and he has been welcomed back with open arms.

Head teacher Pam Martin said: "It's great to have him back full-time and we wish him very well.

"He's a very happy, very resilient boy and we just think he's incredible."

The family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received. A group on social networking site Facebook has almost 1,000 members and cancer charity CLIC Sargent arranged for him to visit Chelsea's training ground, in Cobham, and meet the players recently.

Shelley said: "All the support and all the well-wishers have kept him going and have really helped his recovery, but he doesn't realise quite how many people he has touched.

"The day at Chelsea was great. He was absolutely in awe of John Terry - it's not every day he gets to hobnob with the Chelsea stars." .