A BRAVE Widnes boy battling cancer has enjoyed lots of surprises since thieves stole his charity bike.

Six-year-old Ben Allen has acute lymphoblastic leukeamia and is undergoing three years of intensive chemotherapy and antibiotics.

Runcorn cancer survivor Richard Wilding, aged 41, from Sandymoor, replaced his bike and his school friends and the local community have rallied round to support him.

Ben’s mum, Mel, from Hough Green, said: “Coming to hospital and receiving treatment is all Ben has ever remembered.

“He’s never cried or complained.

“He’s been very brave throughout his treatment which will finish just before his seventh birthday in April.

“He’s already planning to celebrate with a big party for family and friends.”

Liverpool FC players visited him in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and invited him and his dad, Pete, to watch the New Year’s Day match in an executive box with a three course meal.

Fatboys cancer charity, which helps children with life threatening illnesses, treated Ben and his family to a trip to Harry Potter World on Saturday and gave him a Barcelona soccer strip.

Pupils at Cronton CE Primary School dressed up for ‘Ben’s day’ and raised £500. His tennis club donated £50 to replace his sister, Chloe’s scooter which was also stolen.

Mel added: “Ben is enjoying riding his new bike which has an exhaust on it so it’s a bit noisy and a novelty. He knows he can’t leave it outside after his bike was stolen.

“He felt dead special when everyone in his school had a day just for him.

“I don’t think he really understands what he’s got but it’s not far now ‘til the end of his treatment.

“We’re still going to have his bloods checked for six months but he will be able to have his central line removed and that’s the major source of infections.”