Brave Shropshire schoolboy Benji is recovering well

Benjamin Crawford - known as Benji - had endured 10 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by an operation to remove a tumour and then faced a further nine months of chemotherapy.

This was after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma late last year after his right left gave way during football training.

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.

It starts when one bone cell becomes abnormal and grows out of control to form a lump of cancerous tissue known as a tumour.

Fast forward to this year and Benji, from Cheswardine near Market Drayton, is now riding his beloved bike and is walking again.

Kelly Goodyear, family friend and member of fundraising support group Team Benji, said: "Benji is doing really well.

"His leg is still not strong enough yet to have his leg extension operation, this will be in the new year now, so he has quite a limp.

"He has scans every six weeks to check there are no signs of returning cancer and all is going very well.

"Benji is being very strong emotionally.

"Trying to get back into a 'normal' life is equally as challenging as fighting the cancer itself, especially when you are re-visiting the hospital at least every six weeks to wait on clear results, which is why I think it is imperative for people to remember how important it is to keep up the support even when things are looking positive for anyone who has gone through a life threatening condition."

Family, close friends and work colleagues formed Team Benji to support him.

The group has now raised more than £73,000 for 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.

Kelly added: "Team Benji have arranged for Benji to go to his favourite football club in a box to watch the match and meet the players on the February 20. He will be leaving home around 10am in a hummer with 10 of his friends.

"Donations to Team Benji are still coming in, especially from people, groups and organisations that are very close to the family.

"The total at the moment is over £73,000 with gift aid that has gone direct to the two charities Birmingham Children's hospital and Children with Cancer UK. There is still more to be banked.

"As for further fundraising, we continue to promote Team Benji wherever there is a fundraising opportunity and a lot of the time people are asking us how they can donate and help raise money, which is fantastic."

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