Courageous Corey shines with Santa at Star Awards party.

An inspirational Oldham youngster, who has survived cancer, was surprised by an off-duty visit from Santa at an extraordinary party to celebrate the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

Six-year-old Corey Ashton-Barker, from Limeside, was a guest of honour at the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards party, supported by TK Maxx.

The magical winter wonderland themed party was held at Santa’s ‘summer home’ in central London. It gave children and their families - some of whom have missed out on festive celebrations in the past due to cancer treatment - a memorable experience together.

Corey enjoyed taking part in a variety of winter themed games, arts and craft activities, including making glitter baubles in an elf's workshop.

He was also given the exciting opportunity to spend time with Santa in his grotto, where he received an early present from the man himself and met other characters from the North Pole.

A total of 21 children and young people from across the UK, who have been affected by cancer, joined Corey for the fun-filled day which also saw a performance by the hugely popular children’s TV presenter Mister Maker.

They all received a special award to recognise their strength.

Corey, who attends Holy Family RC Primary School, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2016.

Lynn-Marie and Corey’s dad Mark Ashton, received the devastating news Corey had cancer after Lynne-Marie took him to A&E at Oldham Royal Infirmary when a high temperature and persistent cough failed to go away. Corey was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, but then routine blood tests showed he also had leukaemia.   

He was given an immediate blood and platelets transfusion and had to spend the next 13 weeks in hospital, fighting the pneumonia and receiving intensive chemotherapy.  

Corey’s treatment also involved many lumbar procedures, including some where chemotherapy drugs were injected directly into his spine, carried out under general anaesthetic. 

Manchester City fan Corey, who has a big brother called Tyler and a new baby sister called Paisley, responded well to his treatment and is now on a maintenance oral-administered chemotherapy which he will need to take until this coming summer (2019). 

Sadly, Corey’s treatment caused a number of side effects and as well as losing his hair, he also became so weak from being bed-ridden that he needed physiotherapy to learn to walk again. 

Corey has always dreamt of visiting London.

Lynn-Marie, who volunteers at her sons’ primary school, said: “We absolutely had the best time ever. The party was in such a beautiful venue and was good fun. We also had a chance to see all the museums, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben and went on a river cruise.”

The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards celebrate the courage of all children and young people in the UK who have been diagnosed with cancer. Every child and young person nominated receives a trophy, a t-shirt, a certificate signed by celebrities and a £50 TK Maxx voucher.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens spokesperson for the North West, said: “It is an absolute honour to be able to recognise the strength of youngsters like Corey who have been through so much at such a young age. He is a real ‘star’.

"Cancer can have a devastating impact on children and young people, so it was a joy to see Corey’s smile light up as he met Santa and took part in our winter wonderland themed party.

“Every year, around 190 children are diagnosed with cancer in the North West*.Our mission is to help save the lives of more youngsters and reduce the long-term side effects they may experience, by finding new, better and kinder treatments.”

Cancer Research UK’s research has helped transform survival for children’s cancers. Today, more than 8 in 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK now survive their disease for at least five years**.

However, there is still more to be done to bring forward the day when every child survives cancer and does so with a good quality of life. 

TK Maxx’s support of the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards is part of a year-round fundraising partnership including its clothing collection campaign, Give Up Clothes for Good, which takes place again this September helping to raise vital funds to help beat children’s and young people’s cancers.

Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £32 million to support Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s cancers.

For more information about the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards or to nominate a star, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens