A LITTLE boy who touched hearts after a traumatic injury on a holiday from hell has been given a special birthday treat.

Alfie Barton was just four when he suffered a broken femur on a family holiday in Benidorm in 2016.

Mum Rachel was left devastated when the holiday insurance company refused to fly them home and told them Alfie would need to spend two months in Alicante hospital to undergo traction.

Alfie was struggling to eat the Spanish hospital food and his mum feared he wasn’t getting sufficient pain relief.

Mrs Barton was spending €260 a day in taxi fees between their resort and the hospital during what she described as ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.

The Mail heard of the family’s plight and we contacted the insurance company. Within a day the Barton family were being flown home on a private jet.

At the weekend, almost four years since their ordeal, Alfie celebrated his eighth birthday and the special boy was given a special treat.

Roger Exley from Barrow Fire Station heard it was brave Alfie’s big day and arranged for a crew to visit his home in Piel View Grove.

The firefighters sung Happy Birthday, while maintaining social distancing, as Alfie looked on with pride.

Mrs Barton, who works at Furness General Hospital, was full of praise for the fire crew.

“We were so grateful they took the time out of their day to come and say happy birthday to Alfie,” she said.

“It’s a shame for kids that they can’t have birthday parties because of coronavirus and the lockdown but Alfie’s been really understanding about it and knows how important it is.

“We’ll hopefully be able to throw him a party when it’s all over and we’ll make sure he has an extra special party next year.”

After the family returned home from Benidorm in August 2016 little Alfie had to spend a number of weeks in the children’s ward at FGH undergoing treatment.

He was unable to start reception in the September but joined his classmates in December.