"We didn't know he would make it to this point," the mum of five-year-old George Woodall said after her son completed his final chemotherapy session at The Royal Marsden to end a tumultuous year.

George, holding a new set of Star Wars pyjamas, is smiling as another boy approaches him in the corridor of the ward.

He wants George’s expert advice on how to get the best use out of his Hot Wheels cars.

“Boosters,” George said as he demonstrated with his hands how best to do it.

His parents, James and Vicki, are beaming. Relief, pride, excitement and even a “tinge of sadness” to be leaving the staff of The Royal Marsden, who excelled at making George’s stay as comfortable as possible.

It is the end of a “heart-breaking and heart-warming” year, as Vicki put it.

This day 12 months ago (December 13, 2016) – James and Vicki were first shown a scan of the tumour on George’s back.

“Tony the Tumour,” as they call it.

More than a dozen chemotherapy sessions later, a ten-hour major operation and a trip to Florida for more treatment (coinciding with the hurricane to add to the scare), George is now home in time for Christmas.

To signal the end of treatment – he has to climb the steps in The Royal Marsden family room and ring the bell three times.

He does so in front of his proud mum and dad, who video George’s achievement, all three Woodall’s still smiling.

Shortly after, as George plays with his new Pokémon cards, his mum and dad sit and chat to the Sutton Guardian.

“It feels amazing,” Vicki said. “We couldn’t be more proud of how far he has come this year."

The Woodall family had their lives changed on November 26, 2016 when they found a lump on George’s back.

Before he was officially diagnosed with an aggressive tumour, PNET Ewing’s Sarcoma, on January 3, 2017, James and Vicki set up ‘George and the Giant Pledge’ to raise funds for The Royal Marsden.

“People are not aware of how prevalent childhood cancer actually is. It is important people are aware. Childhood cancer is the biggest single disease killer of children in the UK. You just wouldn’t know that. It is only when you are thrown into this whirlwind that you learn these things” Vicki said.

Their initial target was £100,000 – something they thought was a hefty ask.

But almost £600,000 has now been raised.

This has funded two play specialists, a full-time paediatric psychologist, the refurbishment of an oncology isolation room at East Surrey Hospital and it will be used for a for a paediatric and adolescent drug development consultant at The Royal Marsden.

Vicki encouraged readers to donate what they could.

She said: “Even if it's donating the cost of a toy or Christmas card, it's more than giving a child a present, it's giving them the potential of a life with a future.”

The Woodall family, who live in Redhill, are now excited to spend Christmas at home.

“George told me he cannot wait to see his brother and play with his friends. Never mind the presents, essentially that is all he wants.

“He is full of beans. His character never left him,” Vicki said just as George came running into the room ahead of his dad.

“Mummy, I beat daddy,” he laughed after winning the race.

James and Vicki’s other son, Alex, eight, shaved his head to support his little brother’s journey.

“Alex has done phenomenally well,” James said.

“There are times when he comes home from school and his brother and one of his parents are not around. That must be very hard. We are super proud of him. As much as they are brothers they are best friends as well.”

As they prepare to go home, they mention their plans of watching Alex perform in a school play that evening.

Hearing this, George adds, “Daddy, we also need to build a track for my friend.”

The family said they will build themselves up as a family again next year.

To follow their journey, you can update through their daily blog here. To help James and Vicki secure their fundraising target, you can donate here.