A football-mad five-year-old boy undergoing treatment for brain cancer at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) was given a World Cup trophy for bravery after six weeks of radiotherapy – and was even sent a message of support by the England football team captain, Harry Kane.

Ben Williams, who was unable to walk and talk before starting treatment, was given his own football-themed ceremony by the radiotherapy team at QEHB which was recorded and posted on social media by Specialist Paediatric Radiotherapist, Liam Herbert.

The video, watched over two million times, shows Ben walking into the TomoTherapy Suite at the hospital with staff in England football kits and others wrapped in the flag of St George whilst the TomoTherapy machine was wrapped in the flags of the World Cup finalists.

After opening a box with a replica World Cup inside and receiving a certificate to acknowledge the boy’s bravery, the video went viral and reached the England captain himself.

Sam Williams, Ben’s father, said: "Six weeks ago, Ben couldn't talk or walk but we've essentially seen our little boy come back to us in the last few weeks.

"For all that the many amazing people have done for him across the NHS we will never be able to express how thankful we are. They had already been absolutely wonderful, but what the staff in the Radiotherapy Department did for him on his last day of treatment was just so special.

"We hear a lot about how the NHS is broken, but our experience of it has suggested the opposite. While an organisation of its size will always have problems, what we've seen is lots of dedicated and truly brilliant people, all doing a wonderful job."

On the ceremony arranged for Ben, he said: "They had already done more for Ben than we could ask for, so this was just such a kind and thoughtful gesture. As you can see from his face, he was just delighted with it.

"We got him an England kit a few weeks ago and he's pretty much refused to take it off since. We've resorted to washing it overnight while he's been in bed.

"He really liked football before he got ill and has suddenly gone England crazy in the last couple of weeks, so much so that 'England' and 'Harry Kane' are some of the first words he learned to say again as his speech came back."

With the video the attention of the world’s media, calls flooded into the Trust’s press office from India, Canada, France, Germany and the USA, and then the moment everyone hoped would happen – the England captain, Harry Kane sent a tweet to Ben ahead of their 2-0 victory over Sweden: "Hi Ben, I've seen your video and you are an inspiration. Carry on fighting and we'll do everything we can on Saturday to keep a smile on your face!"

Liam Herbert, and Helen Woodman, both specialist paediatric radiographers at QEHB provided their own congratulations for the youngster after finishing his treatment.

Liam’s tweet said: “Ben has just completed his radiotherapy for a brain tumour, he was unable to walk and talk before his treatment but a week ago he asked for the World Cup, so we delivered @England and @HKane can you do the same?”

Prompting an unprecedented outpouring of support from the public, many were reduced to tears when the family later appeared on ITV News with Harry Kane repeating his words calling Ben ‘an inspiration’ at a press conference in Russia.

Twitter user Darren Richardson wrote: "Unbelievable! Keep up the great work you are doing for all these very brave and courageous kids."

Another, Michael Cutler said: "Brought tears to my eyes watching that. What a lovely little man – all the best with his recovery."

Sadly, whilst it wasn’t to be for the England football team, the hospital charity, which funded the TomoTherapy machine that Ben was treated on, will continue to provide nice treats and surprises for more children like Ben. If you’d like to help them do it, please donate via Bens JustGiving page.