One of Huddersfield’s bravest little boys will celebrate his fifth birthday tomorrow.

There’ll be party games, presents and a special birthday cake for Theo Carnie.

But young Theo himself won’t be tucking into the specially-baked cake.

His rare eating disorder condition – which has just seen him undergo nine weeks of treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital – means he cannot eat food.

While Theo will be receiving his birthday presents, he is also planning to give away hundreds of presents in donations to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax, where he has also been treated.

The Outlane youngster has a rare bowel condition that means he is allergic to food so he receives his nutrition intravenously through tubes leading to a backpack which feeds him 22 hours a day.

In his young life he has already undergone countless operations and hospital visits and he faces another trip to Great Ormond Street in the next few weeks.

But the young boy dubbed “Superhero” is always positive, to the delight of his parents, Verity and Nathan.

Young Theo won a courage award at the Examiner Community Awards in May, and since then his family have been fundraising to help others with problems.

Verity said: “We have managed to raise more than £1,000 and we have ordered hundreds of toys which we plan to give out to the Calderdale Toy Appeal, at the local hospitals.

“It’s something Theo is excited about, along with his party.

Theo Carnie during his stay at GOSH
Theo Carnie during his stay at GOSH

“Although he cannot eat food he is really excited about the ritual of birthday food and a birthday cake.

“He won’t be able to eat the cake that has been made by the charity Baking A Smile but he will enjoy the singing and the candles.

“We have just got back from Great Ormond Street where the surgery he had was really hard for him.

“He had to spend a long time having the surgery and treatment and he still has to go back soon for even more.

“He faces more treatment there to try and make him more comfortable with his bowel problems.

“But he is recovering well and he has been able to start at St John’s School in Golcar, although he is only going in the mornings.

“He needs support there and some of the staff are having training to help him with his feeding pack and pump, which means he will be full-time after half-term.

“He loves school and is delighted to be back with his friends, many of whom he has known since playschool.”