A BRAVE toddler battling leukaemia has been awarded a Little Star honour for his courage.

Two-year-old Theo Newton from Sherborne in Dorset was just two days shy of his second birthday when he was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The news was heart-breaking to parents Sheryl and John, and followed their five year struggle to start a family.

Sheryl said: "When I then found out he had cancer and I faced losing him, I felt like it was the world’s way of telling me we shouldn’t have children.

"To be told the child you so desperately wanted has cancer is absolutely gut-wrenching.”

But six months into a three-year treatment plan, Theo’s parents say he is already improving and feel like their fun-loving toddler is back again in time for a big family Christmas.

To honour the courage Theo has shown, he has received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx.

Theo was gifted a star shaped trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces who support the award.

His mum Sheryl, who nominated him for the award, said: “We’ve had our high moments and our low moments but we’ve always stayed positive and so has Theo.

“He’s been poked and prodded and had some tough treatments, but I can count on one hand the times he’s been sick. He’s amazing and is now giving us the terrible twos which we are so grateful to see.

“His star award hopefully makes him realise how special he is. In the midst of the whirlwind of appointments, blood tests and dressing changes you can forget how well they are coping and how brave they are but the award really reminds us of just how great they are doing.

Bournemouth Echo: Theo with his mum SherylTheo with his mum Sheryl (Image: Cancer Research UK)

“Fighting cancer is one of the biggest achievements he’ll ever have to accomplish, and I want him to look back at his award in years to come and know exactly how far he’s come.

“There are a lot of things he can’t do right now like swimming or contact sports because he has a central line fitted for his treatment.

"So, while he may not get a swimming badge like his friends, he has his Star Award to recognise his unique achievement instead.”

Now, the family say they are looking forward to a “proper celebration” this Christmas, with Theo having missed his second birthday due to the illness.

Sheryl added: “Now he’s improving, he’s into everything again and so we can’t wait for Christmas. He’s our little trooper.”

To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards