Gergo Balla was just 11-years-old when his family was given the devastating news he had cancer and only a 10 per cent chance of survival.

Now, five years later, he celebrated his 16th birthday with a trip to the cinema with friends, something he did unaided for the first time.

Gergo was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer.

Gergo’s diagnosis came amid an agonising period for the Bolton family which had seen his mother Renata diagnosed with the same disease a year earlier in 2018.

Following a gruelling round of nine operations, 30 rounds of radiation treatment, and eight months of chemotherapy, Gergo’s chance of survival has now risen to a remarkable 90 percent.

Now, Gergo is finally discovering his freedom thanks to the support of Variety, the Children’s Charity.

The Bolton News: Gergo Balla

Gergo recently received a £10,000 powered wheelchair donated from multiple charities including the North West branch of Variety, allowing him to socialise with family and friends with minimal assistance.

Before, he used a wheelchair for mobility but was unable to use his manual chair outdoors as it was too heavy for him to self-propel.

He had to rely on his family to get him around.

His father, Zoltan said: “We’re extremely grateful for the help from Variety, because they did everything they could to help us. Since Gergo got the chair, his life has changed for the better.

“It was an indescribable pain when we found out that Gergo was sick. We didn’t understand anything, and we were uncertain about everything, and so were the doctors.”

Zoltan gave up his job to support his wife and son through an extremely difficult period. Now, after four years he has been able to return to work following the improved condition of his loved ones.

Zoltan added: “My son recently celebrated turning 16 by going to the cinema with his friends with minimal assistance, something that wouldn't have been possible without the freedom that the wheelchair brings.

“It brings great joy to be able to see him enjoy the little things that before the chair wouldn’t have been possible for him to do by himself.

“Our lives would’ve been much more difficult without the kindness shown by Variety, as a family we urge all to continue to support all the good they do through donating.”

To support the charity visit https://www.variety.org.uk/get-involved/donate/