WHEN Edward Austin received his Emmy award the first thing he wanted to do was show it to his proud parents.

And seeing their son holding the gold statuette was just the boost Gemma and Dennis Austin were needing.

Dennis was diagnosed with kidney cancer five weeks ago, and is receiving treatment at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Gemma says her husband perked up after hearing that their son had got the award.

Dennis, aged 69, of Redcar Road, Trentham, said: "It really cheered me up to hear that he'd got it, and I think it cheered up the whole family. There aren't that many people around here who can say they've won an Emmy."

Gemma's sister, Angelena Buxton, died last year after losing her fight against kidney cancer.

Angelena and her family spent many months campaigning for vital cancer drugs, such as Nexavar and Sutent, to be free for those who need them.

These drugs are now available on the NHS, following a U-turn by medicines regulator NICE earlier this year, and Dennis was prescribed Sutent.

Gemma, aged 64, said: "Angelena was campaigning for other people but she would have had no idea that it would be her own brother-in-law who would be one of the first to benefit."