A High Wycombe man who survived cancer as a child has reflected on his battle - and how a gift of football boots gave him strength to fight.

Tom Starck, 25, was an energetic, sports-mad 12-year-old - until he woke up one morning in 2009 with a lump on his neck.

Later that same day, after several blood tests, Tom was transferred from High Wycombe hospital to Kamran’s Ward at John Radcliffe, accompanied by his mum.

“I remember going in and seeing loads of really sick children, about my age,” said Tom. “I was thinking - they've sent me to the wrong ward. I shouldn’t be here.”

Sadly, Tom and his family were soon told that he had Hodgkin Lymphoma – a type of cancer which develops in the networks and glands of the immune system.

Tom began chemotherapy that week, but the diagnosis and treatment took a toll on his mental health.

He said: “I was too young to fully understand, but I was old enough to be scared. Whenever I was taken out of school for treatments, I would look at the other kids still working and feel so jealous.

“When I was about halfway through my treatment, my mum asked what I would wish for if I could have anything. That’s when Make-A-Wish UK came in.”

Make-A-Wish UK creates life-changing wishes for children who have a life-threatening condition. Tom, whose wish was for a shopping spree and a day in London with his family, said: “It might not seem like much, but it was just about doing something outside of hospital and feeling normal for the day. Remission wasn’t guaranteed, but the wish was, and so I had something to be excited about that could take my mind off all the chemo.”

Tom, his parents, and siblings Laura and Jake travelled to London on September 25, 2009 for his wish. Tom was given a personalised pair of Nike football boots during his shopping spree, which he still has today.

He said: “It sounds so materialistic, but just having those boots made me feel really special. It made me excited to get better so that I could play football again. The whole day helped me to think positively about the future, which I honestly think contributed to my recovery.”

Tom’s sister Laura, 27, remembers: “It was the loveliest day. I’m two years older than Tom, so as an older sibling I felt very protective of him when he got ill and hated that I couldn’t make him better.

“When your sibling is ill, your parents obviously have to prioritise them, so we hadn’t spent much time together as a family for a long time. For us to have that day all together, for me and my younger brother Jake to feel included too, was so special. It was amazing to see Tom so happy despite what he was going through, but it was really an outlet for all of us. I’ll never forget it.”

A few months after Tom’s wish, he was at last told that he was in remission. Now 25 and working as a Ferrari mechanic, Tom is preparing to run the London Marathon on October 2 to give back to Make-A-Wish UK. He hopes to raise at least £2,500.

“Crossing that finish line is now my biggest wish,” said Tom. “The idea that I can help another child to have their wish come true means the world to me.”

Support Tom’s journey to raise vital funds for Make-A-Wish UK at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-starck-london-marathon.