Party to celebrate Rhys' remission (From Western Telegraph)

Party to celebrate Rhys' remission

1:30pm Sunday 19th August 2012 in News

After three years of chemotherapy to tackle leukaemia a Haverfordwest boy has enjoyed a special party to celebrate being in remission.

Rhys Thomas, now 11, bravely battled his illness and his mum Susan had always promised him a big party when he went into remission.

Late last month he and all his schoolfriends, along with his Camrose football club team mates, celebrated at the Picton Centre, specially decorated for the Olympics in red, white and blue. Rhys had continued playing for Camrose throughout his treatment and his grandfather David Williams said this “helped give him an incentive and motivation, even when at his lowest ebb”.

The family were extremely grateful to Olympic torchbearer George Barrah, of Simpson Cross, who went along in his trademark tracksuit and with his torch as a surprise for the 41 children at the party, who were very excited to have their picture taken with the Torch.

Rhys’ parents Susan and Nick, as well as younger brother Dylan, have raised around £10,000 for children’s cancer charities Latch and Dreamflight, with a head shave, sky dive, zip line ride and much more.

Susan said: “Obviously it’s been a long three years and it’s a big relief to get the results at the end. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us, we couldn’t have done it without our family and friends supporting us.”

Rhys is off to secondary school in September and Susan added that this will be a “fresh start”

for him.

“Everyone was looking forward to 2012 for the Olympics; we were looking forward to 2012 when Rhys finished his treatment,” added Susan.