An 'inspirational' ten-year-old boy has been given the all-clear after three years of cancer treatment. 

Finnie Egleton, a pupil at Hopton CE Primary Academy, will take his last chemotherapy drug on Saturday, May 20. 

Over the past three years, there have been times when his family thought this day would never arrive. 

In March 2020, four days before the first national Covid lockdown was announced, Finnie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow.

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Finnie's family have thanked friends, colleagues and relatives for their support over three years of cancer treatment. Finnie's family have thanked friends, colleagues and relatives for their support over three years of cancer treatment. (Image: Supplied by family)

He was admitted to Addenbrooke’s children’s oncology ward for three years of treatment and has attended monthly chemotherapy sessions at the Jenny Lind Department in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

His mother Kellie Egleton said: "Finnie is a bright child. He understood the seriousness of his illness and we have always been honest with him."

Since his diagnosis, at the age of seven-years-old, Finnie grew up beyond his years and faced his illness head on, she said.

He has attended school at Hopton, between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, throughout and has developed "extraordinary strategies" for coping with it all. His dream is now to become a paediatric oncology doctor as he would like to help other young people fighting the disease.

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: Finnie Egleton was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer when he was seven-years-old. Finnie Egleton was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer when he was seven-years-old. (Image: Supplied by family)

Ms Egleton said: "For the last three and a half years, we have entered a completely unfamiliar world.

"Finnie’s diagnosis was the news that no family should ever have to face." 

Extended periods of isolation, separation from family and friends and the constant Covid cloud placed enormous strain on the family.

Ms Egleton said that Finnie’s sister, seven-year-old Isla, has been exceptional.

"Our lives have revolved around treatments, hospital visits and limiting ourselves to activities that would not compromise Finnie’s weakened immune system. The love and kindness shown by Isla far exceeds her years. The siblings have developed an incredibly special bond," she said.

She also said the family "no longer take things for granted, sadly witnessing first-hand that not every family affected by childhood cancer is able to bring their child home from hospital".

Ms Egleton, who is also headteacher at Hopton CE Primary Academy, said the family has been so well supported throughout their journey by friends, family, colleagues and also two local charities, the NNUH's Jenny Lind Department and Finnbar's Force.

Finnbar’s Force is a Norfolk-based cancer charity working to provide a more comforting environment for children and families attending chemotherapy clinics at the NNUH.

Hopton CE Primary is marking the end of Finnie's treatment by raising money and awareness for those charities. 

On May 19, school friends and parents of Hopton and others part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), Diocese of Norwich and St Benet's families, are being invited to an event called ‘Go Gold for Childhood Cancer’. 

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Great Yarmouth Mercury: People have been invited to dress up as superheroes for a fundraising day at Hopton CE Primary School. People have been invited to dress up as superheroes for a fundraising day at Hopton CE Primary School. (Image: Supplied by family)

Ms Egleton said: “My idea is for everyone to come into Hopton school dressed in gold, as a superhero or in home clothes in exchange for a silver coin.  

“If every pupil did this, we would raise an exceptional amount of money.” 

Every week in the UK and Ireland more than 30 children and diagnosed with Cancer. Two out of ten children will not survive their disease. 

Ms Egleton said: “The unstinting kindness and support of friends, family and colleagues helped us get through and continues to sustain us. We feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such love. 

“Thank you for supporting us to help other children with life-threatening illnesses.  

“It really does make a difference,” she added. 

For those who cannot attend in school please donate to the fundraising link online https://www.justgiving.com/page/hopton-academy-1682600559314?utm_term=k3G8K6EvQ