Two years ago, Bicester schoolboy Luke Dickety had a golf ball-sized tumour removed from his skull.

The 11-year-old, from Halifax Road, had the Schwannoma tumour removed by the craniofacial team at Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary.

It was one of two major operations for the Glory Farm Primary School pupil in 2004, and there were two follow-up operations last year to rebuilt his tear ducts and sinuses.

But the youngster has not allowed having his face and skull rebuilt to hold him back.

In July, he got a coveted ticket to the Queen's 80th birthday children's party, and saw a host of children's storybook characters - including the Big Friendly Giant, Noddy and Pc Plod.

He and his friends also got autographs from a Blue Peter presenter and saw their favourite cast members from the Harry Potter films.

Luke has also raised money to help buy new toys for the RI's Leopold Ward, where he had surgery, and Oxfordshire charity Oscar (Offering Support to Children And their Relatives).

A recent Wacky Hair day at his school raised £182 for Chox.

Mum Carol MacKay, 38, said she and her husband Peter, 28, who is Luke's stepfather, were delighted that Luke had coped "so brilliantly" with the treatment.

She added that her son recently went to a Scout camp in Dorset, where he was abseiling, canoeing and climbing.

"He's even contemplating playing rugby when he starts at The Cooper School, in Bicester, in September," said Mrs MacKay.

"Children are incredibly resilient and they just cope with what's asked of them, so we have to do the same.

"It has been a very stressful time for everyone, but we just explain what the next step is, and Luke has dealt with it. Doing things like raising money to buy toys for the ward has kept him busy.

"The operations meant he has lost his ability to write, so he now relies on a computer, and he suffers from poor co-ordination and memory problems, but he is doing brilliantly at school."

Mrs MacKay, who has three other children, James, 15, Emily 19, and Thomas, three, is keen to see the new children's hospital open next year because, at present, Luke has to attend three clinics at the RI, two at the John Radcliffe, and another at the eye hospital on the RI site.

Mrs MacKay added: "In one month, there can be 20 different appointments at a number of different clinics. When the new hospital opens we hope to be able to book visits with various consultants on one site, all in one day.

"It will make life for a family like us, and hundreds of other families, much more normal.

"Until two years ago, our life was very ordinary, but it changed overnight when we noticed that Luke had a lump.

"You never know when you might need help, and that's why we're urging people to raise money for the children's hospital.

"It will make a lot of difference for many families."