Jake's big day (From Oxford Mail)
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Jake's big day
3:37pm Thursday 17th January 2008 in Search
Jake Spicer with his awards, pictured with dad Michael, brother Ryan, sister-in-law Lianne, sister Maddison, and mum Lesley
Teenager Jake Spicer got a nice surprise during his school assembly yesterday - when he received an award for raising funds for children suffering cancer.
Jake, 13, a pupil at St Gregory the Great School in Cowley, has been fighting a rare form of cancer for the past four years and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
But this did not stop him completing a mammoth fundraising triathlon for children with cancer.
Last month, Jake, of Shepherd's Hill, Greater Leys, was named a Little Star by Cancer Research UK for his efforts, and was presented with a special certificate and a trophy yesterday.
After the ceremony, he said: "It was a bit of a shock but it was a nice surprise - I'm very pleased to get this award."
Mum Lesley, 42, added: "The ceremony went very well.
"We don't usually keep anything from Jake but this time it was a surprise, and I don't think he minded too much.
"He got a trophy and a special certificate signed by stars including footballer Ryan Giggs, singer Kylie Minogue and the band McFly. He was very pleased.
"One of his teachers gave a little talk about coping with cancer and remembered how four years ago Jake walked from the school all the way to Hinksey Heights with a tumour in his leg."
The awards were open to all under 17s who have cancer, or have had treatment for the disease in the last five years.
Jake was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer Ewing's Sarcoma, in January 2004.
In April, he decided to cast aside his walking frame and crutches and try to raise hundred of pounds for cancer and bereavement charities.
He took part in a sponsored walk around the football pitch before an Oxford United match, followed by a mile-and-a-half cycle ride and then 15 lengths of Blackbird Leys swimming pool.
Helen Johnstone, of Cancer Research UK, who attended the ceremony with Jake's family, said: "Jake's efforts to raise funds have been inspirational - he seems prepared to try anything."
