TRIBUTES have been paid to a “beautiful little boy whose smile could light up a room”.

Freddie Thompson, who lived in Ampleforth with his parents Philip and Emily and older brother Oscar, died last Tuesday after suffering a relapse following intensive treatment for stage four neuroblastoma.

The three-year-old was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last September, and his family and friends launched a fundraising campaign to raise £250,000 to send Freddie for pioneering vaccine treatment in America. To date the campaign has raised £448,870.

His parents said: “Freddie was such a beautiful, little boy. His smile could light up a room and for a little child he had such a huge personality.

“Freddie adored his brother Oscar, when they were together they were inseparable. Always up to mischief or snuggling on the sofa. They had so much fun riding their bikes outside our house, you could hear the giggling and shouting a long way away.”

They added: “Freddie was such a tidy little boy, one of his favourite birthday presents was a cleaning set. He just loved sweeping the floor, dusting and hoovering and would get cross at mess.

“He also had a lot of favourite meals, meatballs, chilli and pork chops, but his absolute favourite was a cheese sandwich. Freddie loved cheese so much that one day aunty Helen found him sat on the sofa munching his way through a full block.”

His parents added: “Freddie’s favourite book was Peppa the Mermaid. He would carry it everywhere with him and would like it read throughout the day. One day Oscar wanted to read the book but Freddie was adamant it was only his book.

“Freddie loved cats, particularly ginger cats. For a family of dog lovers this was always a source of bemusement. One of Freddie’s final presents was a soft ginger cat and he didn’t let it out of his sight.

“Freddie’s favourite film were Disney Cars and Minions and Lego movie. He would watch these over and over again and knew every word of the ‘Everything is Awesome’ song.”

They added: “One of Freddie’s favourite games to play was hide and seek, he wasn’t the best at it, with legs sticking out under furniture or simply lying in the middle of the room with his eyes covered, but he absolutely loved it.

“Freddie will be remembered by all of us for his bravery and facing everything with determination. If he can teach us anything it would be never to give up, no matter what hurdles are in or way.”