Courageous Freddie shines in star awards

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A brave three-year-old Oldham boy who had to have his eye removed has been honoured as part of a special awards show celebrating the courage of children diagnosed with cancer. 

Freddie Swan was just 12 weeks old when he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma - a type of eye cancer - in spring 2019. 

Now, for the courage he showed throughout his treatment, he has received a Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx.   

Freddie, now three and a half, was one of 15 children from across the UK recognised during the virtual awards show.

Hosted by children affected by the disease, it was filmed to highlight the impact cancer has on young lives and encourage more nominations for the accolade.  

The touching film sees Freddie, and other young recipients, ‘strut their stuff’ and break-out their best dance moves in celebration of the award – to rave reviews from children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.  

Famous faces, including presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, Janette Manrara, YouTuber Jim Chapman, World Champion football freestyler Liv Cooke and Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer also made appearances to congratulate the award winners and send them messages of support. 

Freddie was just over three months old when in May 2019 his family noticed something didn’t seem quite right with his left eye. 

His concerned mum Keighley, 28, started to worry when initial tests failed to diagnose the problem, but she says she just knew something was wrong. 

The mum of three recalled: “Freddie’s eyes were fine when he was born and then one day one of his eyes started going very slightly darker and it was my dad who said something to me about it.

"It was actually a specialist in Birmingham who eventually found the tumour.

"It didn’t come up on some tests, it was right at the back of his eye.” 

Little Freddie was only three and a half months old when he had his eye removed at Birmingham Women’s and Children Hospital. 

Bartender Keighley, also mum to Braydn,10 and six-year-old Archie, added: “We opted to have his eye removed rather than him having treatment to try and reduce the tumour so that he wouldn’t need chemotherapy at such a young age.

"When they operated, they said it was a millimetre from his brain, apparently just another week or so and it could’ve been on his brain which is unbelievable. 

“His brothers have been amazing with him.

"If anyone says ‘what’s wrong with his eye’ they’ll be the ones to tell people he’s had cancer and he has a special eye.

"When they play hide and seek, Freddie just hides his one good eye, it’s so cute. 

“He loves showing off his special eye. He’s had several prosthetics, trying to get it right.

"He has a clear cover in his eye at the moment because we can’t get one that fits quite right, the last one was too big and his socket.

"He plays with his old prosthetic ‘special eyes’ and he takes them around in his little rucksack everywhere he goes, he even takes them to nursery, he’s very proud of them.”  

Keighley and her partner, Becky, 28, nominated Freddie for a Star Award after Keighley’s family suggested it.

Keighley added: “He really deserves it, he’s so brave. He doesn’t let anything stop him and he’s a little trooper.  

“It’s so important to keep raising awareness about what children and young people go through.

"We’re so proud of Freddie and we hope his star turn inspires other families to get nominating.” 

Now Freddie will continue to have regular check-ups until he’s five, to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned.  

In the North West around 190 children are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Through the Star Awards the charity hopes to shine a light on some of the challenges faced by children like Freddie, which scientists are working to tackle.   

The Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for cancer within the past five years. 

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.  

Everyone nominated receives a trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card, a t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces.

Their siblings also receive a certificate.   

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: “Freddie is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age.

"It has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate his courage with a Star Award and celebrate the occasion with a special show.   

“As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the progress made in the fight against the disease, but there’s still much further to go. 

"Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment - and many youngsters may experience serious long-term side effects.

"That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.   

“We’re urging people across Greater Manchester to nominate inspirational children like Freddie for a Star Award now, so that many more affected by this devastating disease can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”  

The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers.

Since 2004, the retailer has raised more than £43 million for vital research to help improve survival and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments.   

Group Marketing and Corporate Responsibility Director at TJX Europe, Deborah Dolce, said: “As part of our commitment to support children and young people facing cancer, TK Maxx is delighted to support the Star Awards for the 14th year running.

"The awards recognise the incredible bravery and determination these children show as they undergo treatment and we are in awe of each and every one of them.

"Cancer Research UK is working tirelessly to improve survival rates and reduce long term side effects, and we are very pleased to continue to support their vital work.”  

The vast majority of children diagnosed with an eye cancer now survive.

Research has been at the heart of this success, as scientists developed a test for a faulty gene for children with a family history of the disease, meaning they get early treatment when it’s more likely to be successful.  

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is one of the many centres across the UK taking part in ground-breaking clinical trials coordinated by Cancer Research UK’s Children's Cancer Trials Team.

These trials make innovative new treatments available to children with cancer across the region. 

 To nominate a star, just click here

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