'Support our heroes this Christmas,' says South Yorkshire family of little boy who owes his life to Sheffield Children's Hospital

But for four-year-old Alfie Powell and his family, there’s much to celebrate this festive period.

After being diagnosed with stage two cancer in 2018, and undergoing an operation and six gruelling months of chemotherapy, Alfie entered remission in 2019, shortly before his third birthday.

This year, the South Yorkshire family – Alfie, mum Emma, dad Aaron, and sister Sophie – is celebrating health and happiness, and has issued an appeal to those who can to support the Children’s Hospital Charity, which has seen its income drop by 50 percent during the pandemic.

“With Christmas around the corner, we want to inspire you to hopefully spread a bit of kindness and happiness during such uncertain times,” says Emma.

“While this Christmas will be different, as we all continue to unite against coronavirus, it will be very special to us as our son Alfie will be at home opening presents with the biggest grin on his face after undergoing chemotherapy.

“Christmas 2018 was very different, as Alfie had been diagnosed with a Wilms tumour a few months before.

"Whilst many were organising parties and buying presents, we were on the Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

“This year though, we will be in the festive spirit as we celebrate being together and being well, and we will be raising money to say thank you for the lifesaving care Alfie received.”

The family’s ordeal began back in 2018 when Alfie slipped on one of his toys, and a few hours later was complaining of pain in his back.

Emma continues: “We took him to our local hospital, but everything seemed to calm down, so we went home assuming he had just pulled something in his back.

“But as soon as we got home he was sick, red hot and we did not sleep at all that night.

“We took him back to hospital and after blood tests, a chest x-ray and an ultrasound, the doctors found the tumour.

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

Alfie was referred to Sheffield Children’s which is where, Emma says, the family met their ‘heroes’ - the amazing staff, doctors, nurses, and play specialists.

“We found the care simply amazing,” says Emma.

"On our first night there, a nurse told us: “Don’t worry, we’re like a big family here” and it’s certainly true.

“They all learned to understand Alfie, his ways and how to deal with him so quickly.

“When he was first diagnosed, we were in a small room with no windows or natural light. Eventually, we moved onto the open ward, but it was cramped and Alfie was definitely not a quiet child so we felt bad for disturbing all the other patients.

“A few weeks later, Alfie came back for an operation to remove his tumour and the affected kidney.

"We stayed on one of the new wards, and you can see the massive difference in how much more comfortable it is for the patient, as well as the family.

“The new bedrooms were bright and spacious with privacy. Alfie loved it and I am sure it helped him with his recovery.

"We would love to help bring these bedrooms to the Cancer and Leukaemia ward, as some patients are there for long periods of time.”

After a difficult nine months, the family received a phone call, just before Alfie’s third birthday, to say he was all-clear.

Emma says: “Seeing him ring the bell was an amazing feeling I will never forget.”

The family has since raised more than £3,500 towards the appeal for a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward, and say they will continue to do all they can.

Emma adds: “We’re determined to help make the ward better for all the children and families that are about to begin their journey there, and for the friends that we’ve made along the way that are still carrying on.

"It’s our way of saying thank you for saving our son’s life.

“If you are able to make a donation at this special time of year, please rest assured it will make a huge difference to families like ours.”

This year, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s Christmas fundraising will support the £2.75m Cancer and Leukaemia ward appeal.

The Children’s Hospital Charity director, David Vernon-Edwards, explained: "Covid-19 has changed a lot, in terms of our plans.

"Basically, we’re stationary on the emergency department and helipad, which are our two other big projects, and we’re concentrating everything on being able to start the building work on the new cancer ward in March 2021 as planned.

“We still need to raise the money to finish the ward, but we’re taking things one step at a time.”

A spokesman for the charity added: “There are so many different ways you could get involved with Christmas fundraising: hold a Christmas jumper day for a small donation, or host a virtual quiz with that all-important entry fee.

"Sell your festive cakes, or wear your PJs all day long for £1.

"Do a Christmas fancy dress walk, or get sponsored to do absolutely anything and ‘elf-verything’ – just use your imagination!

"Don’t forget to tag us online – #nationalelfservice – so we can see what you’ve been doing."

There’s also the option to buy a snowflake as part of the hospital’s snowflake display, join in the Team Theo Virtual Glow Run, or visit the online shop to stock up on Pete McKee Christmas cards, and Theo Bear face coverings.

Text NES to 70085 to donate £10 or text NES 5 to 70085 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 or £10 plus one standard rate message.