TOMORROW, 13-year-old Jake Spicer will undergo his latest dose of radiotherapy - but he refuses to be downhearted.

For despite fighting a rare form of cancer for four years, the St Gregory's School pupil marked 2007 by completing a mammoth fundraising triathlon for children with cancer - and now he been named a Little Star.

Jake, from Shepherd's Hill, Greater Leys, Oxford, was diagnosed with the rare bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, in January 2004, when he was nine.

He has a head tumour plus three other possible tumours in his lower body.

His mother, Lesley, 42, said: "When Jake was nine years old, doctors believed pain he was suffering in his right leg was a hamstring problem caused by hours spent playing football. But when the pain increased, it was discovered a tumour had developed on his right femur.

"Since then he has had two tumours in his head. He has also had to have treatment for potential cancer sites which were found on his spine, pelvis and left leg."

As well as ongoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Jake has had painful operations, including one earlier this year in which 15 staples were placed in his left leg to ensure both legs grow at the same rate.

But in April, he decided to cast aside his walking frame and crutches and try to raise hundreds of pounds for cancer and bereavement charities by attempting 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.

Mrs Spicer said: "He did it and he was incredible. But nothing surprises us about Jake after what he's gone through in the last four years.

"He is always jolly and cheerful, he keeps his spirits up and never lets anything get him down. He hits his treatment head-on and never complains."

Jake's father, Michael, 45, added: "Jake always has time for his baby sister Maddison, and he's always positive and never gives up. He encourages others to believe in themselves as he believes in himself.

"We have nominated him as he is our little star."

All the money Jake has raised will go to the charities Clic, which helps child victims of cancer, and SeeSaw, the Oxfordshire support agency for bereaved children.

He said: "As I am kind of disabled myself, I wanted to help out people.

"Some people don't know what others go through until they have it.

"I want to get back in a football team again - that's my big goal.

"I do get tired, but if my leg gets better, there will be no stopping me."

As well as fundraising, Jake works hard to keep up with school and attends half-days at St Gregory's.

His mum said: "I've just come back from a trip to Disneyland Paris, which Jake loved and, despite being a little poorly lately, he managed to pack in as much as he could."

She added: "It will be four years in January since he was diagnosed and it has been very tough for him, but we are so proud of how upbeat he has stayed.

"He'll go in for his radiotherapy on Christmas Eve and he won't complain. Fighting his cancer has become part of our family's life, but we will still make sure we have a lovely Christmas.

"We always tell Jake everything about his treatment. He's such a strong boy and although he'll probably be pretty shy when he finds out he's been named a Little Star, I'm sure he'll be thrilled too."

Cancer Research UK would like to hear about other Little Stars in Oxfordshire.

The awards are open to all under-17s who have cancer or have undergone treatment for the disease in the last five years. Only one nomination per child is necessary.

Nominees receive a trophy and a certificate signed by celebrities including Doctor Who star David Tennant and Kylie Minogue.