THE family of an 11-year-old boy who beat cancer have funded a symbolic bell for patients to ring at Colchester General Hospital.

Joshua Elliott’s family were so impressed by the care given to him during his three-year leukaemia treatment, they asked for the End of Treatment Bells charity to supply the silverware.

It now has pride of place in the children’s outpatients department.

Such bells have already been installed by the charity at around 80 hospitals around the country.

But Joshua’s family said patients in the Colchester area needed the opportunity to ring one too and paid about £140 for it.

Mum Rebecca said: “They have a bell at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge which Joshua rang in February because he finished treatment in January.

“We had always seen this bell and thought it would be amazing for Colchester.

“We would have liked family to come with us but because of the distance we thought it might be too much.”

Joshua’s diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was in September 2013 after the then sporty seven-year-old started to feel uncharacteristically tired and had leg pains.

A doctor recognised the symptoms and a blood test confirmed her suspicions.

Mrs Elliott, who is married to Andrew, said: “He was rushed to Addenbrooke’s and started treatment there.”

Joshua, of West Mersea, spent 12 days in that hospital and underwent a further eight months of intensive chemotherapy.

The Mersea Island School pupil’s treatment continued for the next two and a half years monthly at Colchester and every 12 weeks at Addenbrooke’s.

Mrs Elliott, also mum to Grace, eight, and Benjamin, five, said: “He missed a lot of year three and got to school when he could but the school have been amazing. I can’t really say he has moaned but there have been tough times when he has been tired.”

Joshua is now fighting fit and regular check-ups will continue.

Mrs Elliott heaped praise on Colchester’s “professional and friendly”staff, especially Michelle Bannister, children’s cancer nurse, who with a colleague, treats patients there and at home.