THE family of a young boy with cancer have made their house into a home – thanks to the Superjosh charity.

Five-year-old Baran Akekca who lives in Daubhill in Bolton, can only get around by ‘bum shuffling’ after treatment for his rare brain cancer left him with permanent brain damage. He mainly relies on being carried by his parents, Annabel and Vedat Akekca.

Baran’s family were introduced to the Bury-based Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity after moving into the house which was an empty shell with concrete flooring and no furniture.

The Superjosh charity, set up by Dawn Fidler, stepped in to provide wooden floors perfect for Baran to get around, and kitted the family out with much needed furniture. Dawn launched a public appeal for help and was overwhelmed with local support. The wooden floors were fitted for free by Bury company Think Carpets, with help from Jennie Platt Estate Agents in Prestwich and furniture was donated from Loft Interiors and members of the public.

Andy Foy, owner of Think Carpets said: “I am very aware of the Superjosh charity and all the hard work that Dawn has done. Jennie got in touch saying we can help Annabel and her family. I am a believer that if you can help someone, you should.”

The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity helps children and their families who have brain tumours and post-surgery disabilities. Dawn set up the charity in memory of her son, Josh, also known as ‘Superjosh’ who was told seven times in 11 months that he only had 48 hours to live. He died aged 14 in 2014. Ms Fidler said: “It’s so important for them to have their own space to spend together as a family. People have been so generous and willing to help.

“We also provide counselling and support as well, so we’ll keep in touch now and liaise with the family to see how they’re getting on with their journey.”

Vedat and Annabel said they were ‘overcome with relief’. Annabel said: “It was such a huge relief to have the help because we’ve been so busy caring for Baran, and because we’ve had no income we’ve not been able to save to get money together to kit our house out. They have been a huge help, we’re so grateful.”

The family moved back to Annabel’s native Bolton after Baran received treatment for cancer in Turkey.

At 22 months old, Baran began limping and was extremely tired. He was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer that affects only 30 children each year worldwide.

His parents were told that even with treatment, his chance of survival was only ten per cent. He had emergency surgery to remove the tumour as well as chemotherapy and a stint of radiotherapy.

Two years ago scans revealed his cancer had returned and his parents were told he had only two months to live.

The family travelled to the UK for a second opinion. Baran had scans at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital which revealed his tumours had gone but previous treatment had caused lasting brain damage affecting his speech and balance.

Last year scans revealed three tumours had returned. Baran is now on trial drugs, which recent scans reveal have stopped the growth of two of the tumours, and shrunk the largest tumour.

Annabel said: “Baran is doing so well. We hoped the trial drugs would stop the tumours from growing, but we never expected them to start shrinking them!”