A seven-year-old boy from Redditch was treated to a special surprise from West Midlands Police after becoming cancer-free. 

Anderson Pollard recently rang the end-of-treatment bell at Birmingham Children's Hospital after he was diagnosed with a rare type of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, in May last year. 

His dad, Sam Pollard, said: "At a routine appointment at an allergy clinic, he was initially diagnosed with constipation. When he continued to deteriorate, we called 111 and then took Anderson to the GP the next morning who sent him directly to hospital." 

Redditch Advertiser: Anderson Pollard was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma Anderson Pollard was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma (Image: Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital)

After undergoing blood tests, an ultrasound and a CT scan, doctors found he had an issue with his bile duct. 

Anderson started to get jaundiced and was referred to a specialist liver unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital and following an MRI, the family were given the devastating news that he had numerous cancerous tumours in his stomach. 

Mr Pollard said: "When we were told it was cancer, we were just in total shock. You see it in films and you just don't think it will happen to you. 

"It was just devastating. We had no idea what it meant and we just feared the worst."

Treatment started straight away with chemotherapy being done at the Children's Hospital's Specialist Cancer Centre and supportive care given at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. 

He also underwent several procedures including bone marrow aspirations, drains to remove excess fluid, biopsies and eight lumber punctures as well as intravenous feeling and numerous scans.

After four months of gruelling treatment, the family were told in September that Anderson was cancer-free and he rang the end-of-treatment bell in October to celebrate his discharge from ward 18. 

Redditch Advertiser: He became cancer-free in September He became cancer-free in September (Image: Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital)

His mum, Debbie Bath, said: "It was incredibly emotional. When you go through that trauma, you expect the worst. It was such an incredible relief.

"We just had such gratitude to everyone who made it possible."

Mr Pollard added: "Everyone involved in his care was absolutely wonderful. It's an incredibly difficult subject and they dealt with it in great humanity and empathy."

The youngster's happy ending was made even more special when during a visit to the police headquarters, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, surprised him with tickets to watch his favourite football team Manchester United. 

Ms Bath said: "The Chief Constable and his team met Anderson during a visit to the hospital. I remember them being such lovely and kind people. 

"They noticed Anderson was a Manchester United fan, it was hard to miss in his full kit, and arranged to get him six tickets so we could go as a family." 

Redditch Advertiser: He got the surprise tickets from West Midlands Police He got the surprise tickets from West Midlands Police (Image: Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital)

Mr Pollard added: "Anderson was in awe seeing everyone at HQ and how much they all wanted to meet him. 

"He had no idea about the tickets, he was in shock. He was just so happy. He cannot wait to head to Old Trafford to watch the game."

Anderson continues to be monitored by the hospital team, but he is now back at school and doing what he loves doing best which is playing football.