A six-year-old cancer surviver had his dream of rocking a stage come true this weekend.

Bruce Holland, who attends Bunscoill Rhumsaa, had a whole day of being a rockstar thanks to Make-A-Wish UK, which arranged for him to play the drums in front of his family at Peel Centenary Centre.

The charity, which grants wishes of critically-ill children, picked the family up from their home in Ramsey in a Mercedes V-class vehicle before taking them to Peel where Bruce had his first ever drumming lesson ahead of his show.

’Drumming is something he has been looking forward to since he was ill,’ said Bruce’s father, Brett.

Bruce’s mother, Cathy, said: ’Bruce was ill in the summer and Make-A-Wish got in touch with us and it seemed like a perfect fit.’

She explained that he was diagnosed with Wilms disease in August last year after a 20cm tumour in his kidney was discovered. This particular cancer affects young children.

’We had been on holiday and when we got back I thought he looked a funny shape - his tummy was hard on one side and the other soft,’ she continued.

’I took him to the doctors and spent a day at Noble’s Hospital when they diagnosed a kidney tumour. The whole thing was shocking.

’We never expected something like that to happen. We went over to Alder Hey where he had chemotherapy and the kidney and tumour was removed.’

His treatment finished in October and since then Bruce has been ’getting his energy and health back’.

’I think we were really lucky we caught it early,’ she added. ’It was a tough time. Bruce and I were away at Alder Hey a lot so his sister, Macy, was here with her father or the grandparents.’

During this time, a friend of the family contacted Make-A-Wish and told their story which led to Bruce becoming a rockstar for a day with the help of Dave Rowles of The Rock Project Isle of Man.

With Steph Tomlinson on vocals and Gary Kneale on guitar, Bruce gave a smashing cover of ’Beat It’ by Michael Jackson - one of his mum’s favourite artists.

’It was very amazing,’ said Macy, aged nine. ’I’m very proud.’

’It was brilliant. It will be one of the memories we will always have forever,’ said Brett.

surprise

Backstage Bruce unveiled a surprise present - 10 drumming lessons with Mr Rowles and an electric drum set, with headphones (much to the relief of his parents).

The family of four was then escorted again in the ’posh’ car to Bruce’s restaurant of choice, The Barbary Coast Grill and Bar in Douglas.

Mei Li, an island-based volunteer for the charity, said: ’It’s been very exciting to be a part of it.

’I don’t think Manx people know that the charity grants wishes for Manx kids.’

Dawn Ellis, wishgranting development manager at Make-A-Wish, said: ’Together with the Isle of Man community, we at Make-A-Wish are so glad to be a part of bringing Bruce’s One True Wish to life.

’No child should miss out on the hope, joy and wonder of childhood, and we hope Bruce’s wish will bring him happiness for a long time to come.

’If you know a child with a critical illness, you can refer them for their own incredible One True Wish on the Make-A-Wish website.’

Visit makeawish.org.uk or call 01276 405060.