How 'magical' storytelling project has kept Sunderland family's spirits up during schoolboy's leukaemia battle

The mother of a schoolboy battling cancer has spoken of the importance of a “magical” storytelling project in keeping her family’s spirits up.
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His family have now told how “magical, joyous, heartfelt and priceless” storytelling and pottery sessions have “opened up a world outside of chemotherapy, dread, the beeping of machines and being sick”.

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Saahib’s mother, Gurpreet, 36, who runs an online fashion business, said: “Unless you have experienced it yourself it’s not something easily understood.

Six-year-old Saahib Randhawa, from Ashbrooke, in Sunderland, is nearing the end of treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital, based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, after he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) three-and-a-half years ago.Six-year-old Saahib Randhawa, from Ashbrooke, in Sunderland, is nearing the end of treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital, based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, after he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) three-and-a-half years ago.
Six-year-old Saahib Randhawa, from Ashbrooke, in Sunderland, is nearing the end of treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital, based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, after he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) three-and-a-half years ago.

"But going through something like cancer treatment is one of the toughest things life can throw at anyone let alone a child.

"The storytelling sessions opened up a world outside of chemotherapy, dread, the beeping of machines and being sick. They have managed to keep up our spirits.”

The sessions are run by Henry Dancer Days, which supports children with cancer and their families, with this week also marking National Storytelling Week.

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The charity supports seven professional storytellers, including Shelley O’Brien, across 14 hospital wards nationwide.

Sunderland cancer battle Saahib Randhawa with storyteller Shelley O'Brien at Newcastle's Great North Children's Hospital.Sunderland cancer battle Saahib Randhawa with storyteller Shelley O'Brien at Newcastle's Great North Children's Hospital.
Sunderland cancer battle Saahib Randhawa with storyteller Shelley O'Brien at Newcastle's Great North Children's Hospital.

Gurpreet, who is married to Manprit, 37, an accountant, said: “When we were first met with the diagnosis it was of course a scary and isolating time.

"Saahib was missing nursery and apart from us, the only adult contact he really had was with the medical staff and play specialists.

"Shelley from Henry Dancer Days has been amazing. We have built up a very trusting and special relationship with her.”

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Gurpreet said Saahib’s younger sister, Mia, aged four, has also benefited from the sessions, adding: “The storytelling has been a good way of helping Mia feel included and just as special as Saahib.”

The Randhawa family in a family photo taken prior to Saahib's cancer diagnosis. Pictured, left to right, are Saahib, dad Manprit, Saahib's sister, Mia, and mum Gurpreet.The Randhawa family in a family photo taken prior to Saahib's cancer diagnosis. Pictured, left to right, are Saahib, dad Manprit, Saahib's sister, Mia, and mum Gurpreet.
The Randhawa family in a family photo taken prior to Saahib's cancer diagnosis. Pictured, left to right, are Saahib, dad Manprit, Saahib's sister, Mia, and mum Gurpreet.

Shelley, the artistic director of Mad Alice Theatre Company, said: “The whole ethos is about making that child feel the most important person in the world, and about bringing as much fun, laughter and comfort to them.”

Henry Dancer Days was set up in County Durham by Henry’s mum, Jane Nattrass, following her son’s death at the age of 12 from a rare form of bone cancer in November 2010.

It can be contacted on 07947 668993.

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