It was January 2012, Jack Buse, aged 2 1/2, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Throughout the year, Jack only spent two weeks at home, the rest of the time was spent at Great Ormond Street Hospital having treatment for the disease. As a mad cricket fan, all Jack wanted to do was practice playing so he could one day emulate his cricketing heroes.

National cricket charity, Chance to Shine, has been going into Great Ormond Street with the sole intention of getting kids up and playing for over 10 years. It was by accident that they met Jack in 2012. They were on the ward meeting another child when one of the nurses mentioned to the coaches that there was a little boy on the ward who was a huge cricket fan.

His mum, Olivia Buse said: “That was it. Once the coaches arrived on the ward there was no stopping him. It truly cemented his love for cricket, he was just so pleased to be playing the sport he loved with likeminded people. It brought a smile to his face when little else did. When you’re in hospital there’s isn’t much space for activities but the long corridors at Great Ormond Street became the perfect cricketing practice nets. 

Now 10-years-old, Jack is fully recovered and there’s no stopping him. Regularly playing cricket at his local club in Essex, Jack’s love for the sport hasn’t diminished at all. He still aspires to play at the highest level and nothing will hold him back. Jack said: “In 2012 I had cancer, but I always felt better when I was out of bed. Playing cricket in the corridors really helped me get up and out of bed even on days where I didn’t feel great.”