HE may still have over a year to go in his treatment for leukaemia, but little Adam Sokoli is beaming all over after being presented with a Little Star award.

Six-year-old Adam, from Cutteslowe, received a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award for the bravery he has shown during his gruelling fight against cancer.

The Wolvercote School pupil was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, known as ALL, last May and is now part way through an intensive regime of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and steroids, which won’t end until July 2013.

His mum Emma, 31, said: “It has been a terrifying experience for Adam and us all as a family.

“Before he was diagnosed, Adam suffered continuous colds and high temperatures. We thought the problem was viral, but after many trips to our GP and out-of-hours surgery he was sent for tests and they gave us the shocking news he had leukaemia.

“My husband Gent and I were absolutely terrified about what that might mean. We tried to explain as well as we could to Adam that he was ill and needed help and his treatment started straight away.

“But as soon as we met the doctors and nurses and other parents at the fantastic Oxford Children’s Hospital we realised there was great hope and that has really helped us through it all.”

Each year about 380 children are diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Britain.

Adam said: “I have been in hospital a lot, but I am getting better. I really liked my Little Star award which I will keep in my bedroom.”

A cancer of the white blood cells, which help the body to fight infection, ALL is the most common type of leukaemia in children.

But thanks to major advances in treatment, and research by charities like Cancer Research UK, around 80 per cent are now cured, compared to around 10 per cent in the 1960s.

Mrs Sokoli said: “After two blocks of intensive chemo Adam is now having monthly sessions of it and daily medication and everything is really positive for him.

“He has been amazingly brave.”

Mr and Mrs Sokoli, who also have an eight-month-old daughter, Lily-Mae, found out about the Little Stars awards in a newsletter from the JR Hospital and nominated Adam straight away.

As well as a star-shaped trophy, he received a certificate signed by celebrities including Leona Lewis and Mo Farah.

* To nominate a Little Star or donate to the scheme visit: www.cancerresearchuk.org/ littlestar The awards are open to all under 18s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.