Brave George is a little star - official!

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 14th Dec 2007.

A TEN-year-old schoolboy from Calne has been commended for his bravery battling cancer.

George Paxford from Shelbourne Way in Derry Hill was presented with a Cancer Research UK Little Star award on Wednesday after being diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in his leg.

George, who is a pupil at Derry Hill School, was presented with the award by his headteacher Sheryl Staton.

He also received a certificate, which was signed by stars including Dr Who's David Tennant and Kylie Minogue.

Mrs Stanton said: "George is a wonderful, wonderful boy.

"Last summer his class was involved in an athletics day competing against other primary schools, including completing a short marathon.

"George took part in every activity, despite having only recently finished his chemotherapy treatment.

"He really had to push himself to do it but he never gave up."

George who has a twin sister, Emily, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of his left leg in February 2006.

Only two boys under 15 are diagnosed with the rare form of cancer in the UK each year. He had no symptoms at first but had complained to his mother Christine about having a sore leg one day.

She said; "We didn't think too much of it because he complained during swimming and was then riding his bike quite happily in the afternoon."

She said a day later when his dad tried to help him take off his sock he cried out in pain and it was then that they found a small lump and got it checked out.

George went for an x-ray at Southmead Hospital in Bristol but it was not until a week later that the cancer was diagnosed.

The brave youngster's father, Mark, nominated him for the award because his son was the bravest person he knew. He said: "His attitude to his illness has been awe-inspiring."

George has undergone surgery and chemotherapy and is currently well, although he recently had further surgery to straighten his left leg.

He is expected to be confined to a wheelchair for at least three months before he is able to enjoy playing sports again.

Mr Paxford said: "George has never moaned despite the months of chemotherapy, the significant surgery and months of having his whole leg in plaster. Not once did he say why me?'.

"When he was asked recently what he would wish for if he had two wishes, he didn't wish to be free of his illness.

"He wished that he owned Legoland and his wish for others was that they would be able to go into Legoland for free."

To nominate a Little Star email littlestar@cancer.org.uk or call 0113 231 9828 to request a nomination form.

Archive Home