HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to Littleport Primary School pupil Joshua Hinchliffe who lost his battle with cancer this week.

HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to Littleport Primary School pupil Joshua Hinchliffe who lost his battle with cancer this week.

Family and friends of the eight-year-old have spoken of their anguish at his death but said they would remember the brave youngster as an “amazing character who would be sadly missed”.

Joshua died at his family home in Southery on Sunday after a three-year battle with the disease.

Joshua’s mum Janette said: “He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a delight to be around and always had something to say, even if it was not completely appropriate!

“He loved getting dirty and playing with his cars in the mud. If splashing in puddles was an Olympic sport, Joshua would have won gold every time. He was an amazing character and his loss will always be felt.”

Joshua was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2007 after doctors found a ‘Wilms’ tumour on his kidney. After recovering from a course of intensive treatment to remove the tumour, Joshua was diagnosed with cancer again in September 2008 when doctors found a melon-sized lump in his pelvis.

A second course of treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge meant that Joshua spent much of his time away from school and his friends and it was in October 2008 that the Ely Standard launched an appeal, together with Joshua’s mum, for people to send him ‘get-well’ cards, something he said that greatly cheered him up.

People responded by sending in hundreds of cards and gifts and he was even treated to a replica model Land Rover a ‘toylander’, a car which he loved from watching his father Peter at work.

Last year Joshua was treated to a ride in an RAF helicopter which landed in the playing fields of Littleport Primary School. He was given a 30-minute ride cross-country before enjoying a tour around RAF Honnington in Suffolk.

Joshua was diagnosed with cancer again in April and he family were told it was terminal.

Joshua is survived by his two brothers Ben (5) and Ryan (22) and his older sister Zoe (25).

The funeral will be held at Southery Church on Thursday, October 14 at 2pm and afterwards at Southery Village Hall.

Floral tributes can be made to Dignity Downham Funeral Services, Downham Market. Any charitable donations in Joshua’s name to ACT at Addenbrookes’s Hospital in Cambridge on behalf of C2 and Rebecca’s Wishes, can be delivered to the Ely Standard office or given at the funeral.

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