A YOUNG cancer battler from Hoddlesden was given a treat when he meet the cast of pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Thwaites Empire Theatre after being nominated in a competition for his bravery.

Six-year-old Sam Shaw was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive form of childhood cancer, in January 2013.

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He received intensive treatment for the condition at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and in the USA after people helped raise funds to help Sam travel there to receive the care he desperately needed.

Two years on from his diagnosis and there is now no evidence of any disease.

Sam, his friend Evie-Grace Alemanno and his parents Christine and Carl Shaw met the cast at the theatre before the matinee performance and then went to Pizza Hut in Blackburn to join Simple Simon from the show for some extra fun.

Christine said that Sam thoroughly enjoyed himself and she was extremely grateful to the theatre team.

She said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to the team at Thwaites Empire Theatre, we had a fantastic day and evening.”

“Having Simple Simon at Pizza Hut made the event so special and Sam had a truly amazing time. Sam couldn’t stop talking about the whole experience.”

A public appeal in 2014 raised the £250,000 needed to fly Sam out to Philadelphia for five courses of immunotherapy, a treatment which is unavailable in this country.

Sam still has regular check-ups but has been able to get back to normal and enjoy school and family life after being given the all clear in May 2014.

Michael Berry, chairman at Thwaites Empire Theatre, said: “It was a privilege to welcome Sam and his family to the theatre. I would like to thank Pizza Hut, Sugar Rush and local company Square Cactus for supporting this event and for helping to make it an exciting day for Sam.”