AFTER ringing the bell to signify the end of his cancer treatment, a nine-year-old Wolves fan was given the chance to step out onto the pitch and hand the referee the ball before the match began.

Callum Walmsley, from Padgate, has spent the last year battling cancer after being diagnosed with a high grade non-hodgkin lymphoma in September 2023.

And on January 31, after three months of intense chemotherapy, he was finally able to ring the bell, signalling the end of his treatment and the start of his recovery.

Speaking on Callum’s diagnosis and the courage he has shown throughout his cancer journey, mum, Joanne Walmsley, said: “Callum was taken to Warrington hospital on September 11, 2023 after being unwell.

Warrington Guardian: Callum Walmsley was invited to pass the ball to the referee in a Wolves game last weekCallum Walmsley was invited to pass the ball to the referee in a Wolves game last week (Image: Supplied)
“At first they thought it was viral. After blood tests they realised something was seriously wrong. He was admitted and had an ultrasound.

“Not even 24 hours after being admitted, I was taken into a family room to be told the devastating news of how critically ill Callum was.”

Joanne detailed how the doctor’s informed her that they had found a ‘huge’ lymphoma in her son’s stomach which was blocking his liver and gallbladder, causing him to become jaundice.

“On September 13 2023, Callum was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where he underwent three months of intense chemotherapy,” she added.

“Despite all this he never lost his smile. I'm so proud of him and his courage and determination.”

Warrington Guardian: Callum spent Christmas in the hospital fighting cancerCallum spent Christmas in the hospital fighting cancer (Image: Supplied)
The brave Wolves fan was discharged home in late January and is no in remission, having regular scans, but Joanne said she has noticed he is ‘back to his old self’ and has settled back into school.

To mark Callum’s inspiring journey over the last year, Warrington Wolves made a gesture to their young, devoted fan by allowing him the chance to step out onto the pitch before the start of the Wolves v Hull match on Friday (May 3).

He had the honour of passing the ball to the referee at the start of the match, before sitting in a VIP box to enjoy the rest of the game.

And after hearing about Callum’s story, his favourite Wolves player, Josh Thewlis, granted the nine-year-old with a free season ticket.

Touching on the experience, Joanne said: “Callum found it fun to walk out as everybody was cheering him. He said he felt famous.”