The Bristol Pitbulls ice hockey team made Christmas extra special for one young supporter at their final match of the year.

After meeting 10-year-old Cody Walker at the Evening Post Gold Star awards on Friday, the team's manager Richie Hargreaves invited him and his family to their clash with the Wightlink Tigers.

The team had already gone out of their way to honour brave Cody, who has been battling a form of bone cancer since January 2008, by giving him an Xbox 360 games console, games and a signed Pitbulls shirt at the awards ceremony.

Players had bought the gifts with money from their own pockets, after Mr Hargreaves read them Cody's story.

The youngster, from Knowle, was diagnosed with a form of the bone cancer Ewing's Sarcoma in January 2008. Cody underwent 15 cycles of chemotherapy and had a metal kneecap and leg bone fitted but throughout his treatment he remained positive.

Cody's dad Jeremy said: "The team have been so kind to us. Friday was lovely, and much bigger than we expected. We couldn't believe it when we opened the present back home, Cody was gobsmacked and hasn't stopped playing on it since.

"They invited the whole family down to Saturday's game, and they took Cody down on to the ice twice. They put him on their shoulders and carried him round – it was absolutely brilliant and a day we'll never forget. We're definitely going to start going to watch their games in the new year.

"They beat Wightlink 11-1 – Cody thinks it is partly down to him wearing his lucky shirt."

Mr Hargreaves said: "We were really happy to give Cody an extra Christmas present. The team felt that although we can't take back what he has been through, we can at least try and make things a bit better now."

The team also held a 'teddy toss' at the game – a popular Christmas event throughout hockey leagues around the world, where fans bring teddy bears to the game and throw them on to the ice when the home team scores the first goal.

The teddy bears, as well as old computers, games, books and board games, will be donated by the Pitbulls to the Barbara Russell Children's Unit at Frenchay Hospital tomorrow.