Sheffield hospital helps boy, 4, beat cancer - detected after he tripped over Toy Story ‘Slinky Dog’

Little Alfie Powell, of Worsbrough Dale in Barnsley, tumbled over the coiled spring middle of the plaything based on the dog character.

His mum Emma Holden, 31, rushed him to hospital when he repeatedly cried over back pain.

And while his back was uninjured, it prompted doctors to investigate further and the found out Alfie had Wilms' tumour - a rare kidney cancer.

After a gruelling six month course of chemotherapy, Alfie was declared free of cancer just days before his third birthday and still loves to play with the toy that saved his life.

Emma said: "Alfie always says 'Slinky dog saved my life', bless him!

"It was really surreal because he didn't have any obvious symptoms before he tripped.

"Alfie loves the Toy Story films. He's got quite a few Toy Story toys and we've still got Slinky dog - I think we'll always keep it."

Emma took Alfie to the hospital after becoming concerned when he repeatedly pointed to his back and cried hours after his little trip over the toy in July 2018.

Doctors noticed that Alfie's stomach was unusually swollen and decided to send the little boy for an ultrasound which revealed Alfie had a tumour on his right kidney.

It is thought that the fall could have triggered pain due to the tumour.

Cleaner Emma said: "When the doctors took him for the tests, we had no idea what was wrong - we thought he'd just hurt his back.

"They told us they'd found a tumour and the room just started spinning.

"We were all heartbroken. I still struggle to put into words how we felt after seeing Alfie in so much pain.

"He was screaming, crying and he’d start again when anyone walked into the room."

Brave little Alfie had chemotherapy treatment on the cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

By the time it was Christmas 2018, Alfie was nearing the end of his chemotherapy treatment but barely had the strength to enjoy the holiday.

Emma said: "Alfie didn't even want to get out of bed when Santa had been, he was so weak from the chemotherapy that he couldn't even walk some days.

"We found the care in Sheffield Children's Hospital simply amazing. On our first night there, a nurse told us 'Don’t worry, we’re like a big family here' and it is certainly true.

"They all learnt to understand Alfie, his ways and how to deal with him so quickly. They helped to bring him on as a person so much and it made it all that bit easier for us."

Alfie underwent surgery to have the tumour and his right kidney removed and he received the all clear just days before his third birthday in March 2019.

The little lad is now looking forward to enjoying Christmas cancer free at home with mum Emma, dad Aaron, sister Sophie and of course his beloved Slinky Dog toy.

The thankful family are now speaking out about their story to help raise money for The Children's Hospital Charity to go towards a new cancer ward at the hospital that cared for Alfie.