THE family of a Blackburn schoolboy who successfully battled a rare form of child cancer have set up a charity to help other families going through the same ordeal.

Theo’s Warriors has been set up by the family and friends of seven-year-old Theo Power and will offer support to children battling all forms of cancer and their families.

Feniscowles Primary School pupil Theo was diagnosed with advanced neuroblastoma last July but responded well to various treatments and has now been in remission for 10 months.

The public helped raise £160,000 to send him to Michigan in America to take part in a potentially life-saving trial to stop him relapsing. There would be an 80 per cent chance of the cancer returning if Theo did not have DFO. The drug is not available in the UK.

He will complete the treatment next year.

But throughout her son’s journey Theo’s mother Leonie Jordan, 29, felt there was a need for more tailored support for cancer-battling youngsters and their families and so decided to set up Theo’s Warriors.

So far the charity, which operates in the North West, has helped around100 families.

Ms Jordan, of Lower Darwen, said: “The main thing for me was the idea of giving something back.

"We received fantastic support from doctors, nurses, charities and the public. Without them I don’t know what we would have done.

"But there are certain things that only someone who has been through what we have been through with Theo can relate to.

“Everything that we are doing is from our own experience. It’s all based on either what I think the children need or what other charities have done but what I think we can expand on.

“It’s not that there isn’t enough support out there I just feel like the children and parents need everything they can get. What we offer is tailored to meet the needs the hospital can’t provide.”

Ms Jordan runs a 24-hour phone line which parents of oncology children can call to ask advice or just to have a chat. The charity also provides beanbags for children to help with their pain, goody bags containing age-appropriate toys, days out to provide respite for the children and their families and more.

To find out more about the charity or how to get involved visit www.facebook.com/TheosWarriors. To donate or type Theos Warriors into http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving.