10-year-old with cancer to be flown to Germany for treatment

Callum Foy suffers from a condition called neurofibromatosis, which can cause tumours to form anywhere on his body.

The Orford youngster has faced years of scans, numerous operations and gruelling chemotherapy but has ‘never cried or moaned’.

Last month, the St Andrew’s CE Primary School pupil received the devastating news that a large tumour on his neck was cancerous.

This came as a hammer blow to the family shortly after Callum’s dad Gaz had been made redundant from work, coupled with his mum Sophie Roberts’ own health struggles having recently battled thyroid cancer.

Gaz said: “This tumour has been growing for a number of years and even though it was a large tumour – it was probably the size of a fist – it was benign.

“It was fast-growing, but it wasn’t concerning – he has to have regular scans, which then picked up on this in July.

“They had to act fast as there was a likelihood this could travel to his lungs and different areas of his body.

“We’re just hoping and praying that they’ve caught it in time.”

After having a large part of the tumour removed, Callum is now facing six weeks of proton beam therapy – a form of radiotherapy – in Germany in September.

The couple will need to cover costs, including flying their other two sons – six-year-old Riley and Macauley, aged 20 months – to stay with them over the course of the treatment, while paying the bills back home.

After seeing the family’s plight first-hand, neighbour Nic Jackson set up a fundraising page for the family which has so far raised more than £3,500.

Callum and his family

Nic, who has been a neighbour on Swindale Avenue for around 10 years, said: “I’ve seen everything they’re going through and it’s just awful – it’s really heart-breaking to see them struggling.

“Callum never moans and he’s always smiling – he’s so thoughtful.

“People have been so generous – it makes you realise that when something like this happens that you’re not on your own, everyone comes out to help.”

Fundraising efforts for the family have included Cups Above the Rest selling special t-shirts for Callum, a collection in Homebase on Riverside Retail Park and a climb up Snowdon – with 20 family and friends already signed up for the challenge.

Gaz said: “Full credit to Nic, she’s been amazing – she took the bull by the horns and arranged everything.

“It’s gathered so much momentum so quickly – every one of us is blown away because we’ve had so many people who have jumped on board to help.

“When you look at the well wishes coming in, it’s really overwhelming – something like this pulls everyone together.

“I can’t put into words how well Callum has been treated at the Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Christie – they’re amazing and the nurses and doctors have done a fantastic job.

“The school have been so supportive too, and his friends are coming round every five minutes checking up on him.

Callum with mum Sophie and neighbour Nic

“Our families, friends, work colleagues – they’re all just beautiful people and we want to say a big thank you to everybody.”

A big rock music and Manchester City fan, Callum has also been undergoing chemotherapy for an inoperable brain tumour.

Gaz added: “He’s such a strong kid, it doesn’t matter what’s thrown at him – he doesn’t cry or moan.

“No matter how sick or ill he is when he’s in hospital, he’s always getting up and helping other kids on the ward.

“He’s a brave little solider.”

To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/callums-fight.