Two brave children with cancer met their favourite celebrities when they were guests of honour at a Downing Street reception this week.

Abidemi Akins and Rufus Egerickx, both seven, were among 20 youngsters invited to a special reception hosted by Samantha Cameron to help launch Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens on Tuesday, January 20.

Wimbledon Times:

Rufus Egerickx at the event

The event was organised to recognise their bravery and help raise awareness of the urgent need to boost funds for research.

The star-struck youngsters met celebrities including Rochelle Humes from The Saturdays, Peter Andre, Donna Air and Sara Cox, as well as enjoying a sight-seeing trip of London as part of the VIP experience.

Abidemi, of Sunshine Way, Mitcham, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma when she was just two years-old.

Her family’s world was turned upside down and Abidemi faced two years of gruelling treatment which was extended because of complications which included infections.

She now has regular check-ups but Abidemi is in remission and doing well at Cranmer Primary School.

Rufus was six years-old when he was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and, like Abidemi, had to endure lengthy treatment.

His mum, Fiona Barnett, said: "When they told me it was leukaemia my first question was ‘is he going to die?’

"Treatment started immediately and over the course of that first year Rufus had to endure seemingly non-stop lumbar punctures, injections and general anaesthetics, not to mention infections, horrible medicines and hideous side effects.

Mrs Barnett, of Murray Road, Wimbledon, continued: "We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who continue to care for Rufus for the duration of his treatment, and for that wonderful moment when we were given genuine hope for him beating this horrible disease."

New figures show cancer deaths in children and young people have fallen by 58 per cent in the UK over the past 40 years.

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, said: "It’s hugely encouraging to see deaths for children’s cancers falling steadily. But we must make faster progress to save more lives, so we’re extremely grateful for the support of the Egerickx and Akins families in helping to highlight the power of research in beating the disease."