A TERMINALLY-ILL Burnley dad is helping spread Christmas cheer to patients in hospital over the festive season.

Tom Cooper is taking sweets into the Young Oncology Unit, at Manchester’s Christie Hospital, to cheer up patients.

The 26-year-old dad-of-two, from Lowerhouse, has made ‘sweet trees’ for children who will be spending the festive season at the hospital.

“I know what it is like to be in hospital around Christmas,” said Tom.

“Last year I was at the Christie, and the year before in Blackburn hospital.

“It is awful when all you want to do at Christmas is be at home with your family.”

Tom has recently started a new round of chemotherapy on his lungs, having already had radiotherapy on his brain after the cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, spread from his throat.

“I will be going back to Manchester every Monday for the treatment,” said Tom.

“But last week my immune system was too low to have the treatment, so I couldn’t have it.

“But it does mean I will be feeling a little bit better for Christmas.

“The treatment is quite tough, and they are long days.”

The former maintenance worker, and his wife Tammy, have two daughters, Tienna, six, and Ziani, three.

Tom said: “We will just be doing a lot of family things over Christmas. That is the most important thing for me now, to spend time with family.

“We will take the kids to the cinema, and also go to the Winter Wonderland, in Manchester.”