THE FAMILY and friends of a boy who is seriously ill with cancer are appealing for help in raising £10,000 for potentially life-saving treatment.

Eight-year-old Mark Hammond was diagnosed with a rare type of cancerous brain tumour – medulloblastoma – in 2015.

Following gruelling and intensive treatment, the Darlington youngster was told he was in remission in February 2016.

However, a brain scan in December found that Mark’s cancer had returned, with three tumours discovered on his brain and several on his spine, which have left him unable to walk.

His parents, Hannah and Dean Hammond believe the drug GcMAF – not available on the NHS – could prolong the life of the Mount Pleasant Primary School pupil by boosting his immune system.

Mark’s family and friends are now attempting to raise £10,000 to fund a course of treatment, which costs around £225 a day, and the cost of a private doctor to administer the drug.

On behalf of the family, close friend Louise Davies said: “Mark knows he is poorly again, but he doesn’t know how poorly because his parents want to make things as positive as possible for him.

“He was in remission but had to have regular scans, which came back clear until just before Christmas when they had this massive shock.

“Mark is absolutely brilliant, he’s always smiling and he’s taking all of this on the chin – I’ve never heard him moan.

“The treatment we’re raising money for will be flown over and will probably need to be administered privately.

“We hope it could save his life.”

A number of fundraising events in coming months in a bid to meet their £10,000 target.

Well-wishers have already helped them to raise more than £7,000, with professional footballer James Morrison, from Darlington, one of those to have offered a generous donation.

  • For more information, or to donate click here to visit the Facebook fundraising page.