Shropshire schoolboy Benji's biking hard to put brakes on cancer

Benjamin, known as Benji, has spent a year battling osteosarcoma in his right leg – a type of childhood bone tumour.

Before his diagnosis, Benji, from Cheswardine, near Market Drayton, was extremely active and liked to play all sports, ride his bike and walk his puppy.

However, during the first week of September last year, Benji was at football training when his right leg gave way. He was sent for X-rays at Telford's Princess Royal hospital, where a suspected cyst was detected.

The Cheswardine Primary School pupil was then transferred to Oswestry within a matter of days where he had a biopsy and further scans and it was confirmed Benji had osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of childhood bone tumour, with around 30 children diagnosed every year in the UK.

After Benji's diagnosis he started a 10-week course of chemotherapy followed by an operation to remove the tumour, which took place at Birmingham's Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

During the operation a large part of Benji's femur, including his knee, was removed and replaced with an prosthetic limb. He then had to have a further nine months of chemotheropy which is now coming to the final stages and due to finish this month.

Kelly Goodyear, a family friend and member of fundraising support group, Team Benji, said: "Benji is doing really well. Early signs are very positive.

"He is now walking again and can ride his bike, he has even taken his cycling proficiency test."

As well offering support, Team Benji

has raised more than £70,000 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Children with Cancer UK.

Their biggest challenge was cycling 200 miles from London to Paris, which they completed in May.

Ms Goodyear added: "

Team Benji is continuing to raise as much as possible through various events for the two charities and Benji's family have been at the heart of this."

• To donate go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TeamBenji