Family fun day to raise vital funds for Luke Bell

Luke Bell was diagnosed with High Risk Neuroblastoma in April last year and has endured several rounds of treatment after suffering a relapse earlier this year.

A variety of fundraising events have been organised to support the Darlington youngster and the latest is due to take place in the town's South Park later this month.

Paul Moss is one of several family friends who have come together to raise even more funds.

"As a group of friends we are trying to do as much as we can to raise money for the family and to raise awareness of the condition," he said. "There will be entertainment for all the family with the Police Interceptors coming along as well as the fire brigade, an It's A Knockout challenge and other children's activities.

"We are all really close and all play rugby together, Mowden Rugby Club has been fantastic in supporting us but we thought it was time to move it to somewhere more central so that we can attract even more people than before to come along and join in the fundraising."

CHALLENGE: A dawn to dusk charity rugby event takes place at The Northern Echo Arena in Darlington in aid of Luke Bell who suffers from the same cancer as Bradley Lowery. Luke and his dad Mark Bell Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Explaining the treatment Luke has endured, Mr Moss added: "Since his diagnosis in April 2017, Luke has undergone a gruelling course of treatment in his battle against High Risk Neuroblastoma. "His final course of treatment was to be immunotherapy, which began in January this year and was due to conclude in August. However an MIBG scan in April indicated that he had suffered a relapse. His family were told on April 27 that the scan showed a shadow on his hip, and a hotspot on his thigh. This news was devastating as it now means that likelihood of him being fully cured of cancer are now remote.

"However, this is not the end of the journey. The immunotherapy ceased and Luke commenced chemotherapy straight away, and is part of a trial set to last up to 6 months. This trail involves 1 week of chemotherapy as an outpatient at RVI, followed by two rest weeks.

"After the second cycle, he will have a further MIBG scan to ascertain the impact of the trial, at which point a decision will be made whether to continue, amend or cease the trail. There are further options available, and further treatment required should the trail be completed."

The event takes place on Sunday, September 23 between 11am and 4pm.

Anyone wanting to make a donation should visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/teamlukebell