Brave Sheffield boy meets TV stars

Kasabian Newton-Smith, who is terminally ill, was treated to a surprise performance by dance troupe Boogie Storm.

The eight-year-old’s mum, Kay, said he had been determined to see the group, who perform as Stromtroopers from Star Wars, since watching them on the ITV talent show.

“I can’t believe they’ve done this for him. After the routine he got hold of a Stormtrooper’s hand and wouldn’t let go. It meant so much to him,” she said.

Kasabian, who has been battling cancer since he was two, was joined by his many friends for the performance at Niagara Conference & Leisure Centre in Hillsborough.

The treat was organised by the Pride of the Isle charity and Kas’s Smiles, set up by friends of Kasabian’s family to make his dreams come true.

Kasabian developed inoperable brain tumours last year but his selflessness and positive attitude throughout has touched the hearts of many.

The first dance at Wednesday’s event was dedicated to his friend Ebony, whom he met at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and sadly died the day before, as his mother said this is what he would have wanted.

“Kas loved Ebony and I know he would have wanted the first dance to be for her. She was a princess and princesses deserve the first dance at the ball,” said Kay.

Junior footballers are backing the #1lastSmile4Kasabian Twitter campaign to grant another of Kasabian’s wishes and arrange a meeting with Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

Kay said it would mean the world to the devoted United fan.

“It’s great they’re trying to do this. Even a video from Rooney mentioning him would be fantastic,” she said.

“It’s a great idea to get the football community together because it’s going from the professional level down to children’s football.”

Despite Kasabian’s condition having deteriorated to the extent medics recommended bringing his ninth birthday celebrations forward from December, his mum said he continued to think of others first.

She said he was turning out for Southey Wolves under-10s until a month ago and even after becoming too ill to play still supported from the sidelines.

“He used to say ‘you have to keep smiling because you don’t know who you’re going to make happy’,” she said.

Kay said more needed to be done to improve the chances for children with cancer.

“He’s a child having to fight this, like thousands of other children, and nobody’s paying attention,” she said.