Holiday boy’s cancer

FIGHTING back . . . Antony Bott

But brave Antony is battling back

A SUMMER holiday turned into a nightmare when 12-year-old Antony Bott was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was visiting family in Italy with parents Sara and Kevin when a blood test revealed that he had the disease.

Now, while classmates are starting back at North Chadderton school, the keen Manchester City fan is undergoing chemotherapy at Christie Hospital.

The family, of Tulip Close, Chadderton, were on holiday in Sorrento at the end of July when they were given the devastating news.

Sara (42), a facilities manager for Fujitsu, who comes from the resort, said: “Previous to that Antony hadn’t been well, he had a viral infection that was going round. He got over that, but had a temperature on and off.

“We went on holiday and he was still carrying on and off with his temperatures. We took him to the doctor and he had blood tests.

“There and then within an hour he was diagnosed with leukaemia. We were one week into the holiday and he said we needed to go back to England and to hospital straight away.

“It was just shock, I felt like a robot. I just did what I needed to do, it didn’t sink in. It is like I am living a nightmare.”

Kevin (46), who owns Pontaprint in Bury, had come home ahead of Sara and Antony and found out the news after he received an urgent message when he landed at Stansted.

Antony returned from Italy on August 8 and is being treated at Christie, although he is allowed home.

A keen footballer, he played goalkeeper with teams at Chadderton Juniors and North Chadderton and has a brother, Mark (19), who works with Kevin.

His treatment will last three years, but the prognosis is good and Sara added: “At first he was really angry and he did not really know what was happening to him, but he has been so brave.”

A benefit event at Spring Bank Bowling Club has been organised by five mums whose sons attended Mills Hill Primary school with Antony and also play for Chadderton Juniors.

It starts at 2pm on October 19 and includes an artist, a disco, raffles and auctions.

Tickets cost £2 (50p children), including potato pie, and are available from Denise on 0161-626 7309 or Sheila on 07738 374932.

Sara said: “I just want to thank everyone, friends and family.

“They have been absolutely brilliant.”