Evesham toddler urges people to donate to TK Maxx's Cancer Research campaign

Drew Howard-Carter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just after his fourth birthday.

His party, in May, had been marred by the fact he felt tired and feverish, prompting parents Jason and Su to take him to the doctors.

Having initially been diagnosed with an ear infection, Drew was eventually referred to Worcester Royal Hospital for blood tests as Jason and Su were given the news that every parent fears most.

Jason said: “The first few days were brutal.

“Drew developed an absolute fear of the nurses and doctors; in his eyes, everyone who came near him did something horrible to him.

“It was extremely overwhelming as parents, and of course we were thrown into this world where we were dealing with all this medical jargon when only a few days beforehand our lives had been completely normal.

“Our elder son, Jude, became frightened that Drew was going to die. At one point he said he wished he could have leukaemia instead of Drew, because Drew was too little for it. That was heart-breaking because Jude himself is only six.”

Drew with dad Jason (Image: Drew with dad Jason)

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and to mark the occasion, Drew is urging people to clear out their wardrobes as part of TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign in support of Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People.

In Worcestershire and the West Midlands around 160 children are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Since his diagnosis in May, Drew has been in and out of hospital and he is currently in the early phases of a two-year treatment plan.

He recently began a more intensive phase of chemotherapy, meaning he has not been able to start school this September as he should have done.

Mum Su said: “Drew was looking forward to starting school at St Andrew’s CE School in Evesham. He enjoyed nursery and he knew he was going to Jude’s school, so he was excited.

“The school has been great and we know Drew will catch up – it’s just going to be a bit of a journey.

“On the whole we feel quite positive. We know we are lucky. Drew is getting the best treatment and his type of cancer is curable: not every parent is as lucky as us.

 “It’s thanks to research that Drew is here today. That’s why raising money for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is so vital.

“Drew and I will be having a good clear out at home to find clothes and things to donate and we hope our experience will inspire others to do the same. Their unwanted items really could save lives.”