THE family of a brave young boy who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for treatment which could potentially save his life.

5 year-old Milo Phelps, from Ruardean, was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma in March last year, after developing a sudden limp and pain in his hip.

At diagnosis, the cancer has a very-low success rate of long-term survival, and he has had to undergo a gruelling series of treatments since then, leaving him wheelchair-bound and hardly able to walk for an entire year.

Now, Milo’s family are aiming to raise as much money as possible - with a target of £95,000 set - to contribute towards “pioneering” medical trials which could prevent the cancer’s return.

Sling Youth FC are supporting the family’s fundraiser through a memorial football match for Milo’s uncle Nick Oakley, who sadly passed away recently, at Scarr Bandstand this Sunday (July 31).

Milo’s mum Rebecca has told their story on a GoFundMe page setup back in May.

She said: “In March 2021 I played distracting games with my four year-old son on what was about to become our last day of normality.

“We were waiting in a hospital room when the words from a ‘then’ stranger, caringly announced with professional assertiveness our unexpected and terrifying reality; “This is serious, your child has cancer”.

“The specialist’s words hit me so hard I couldn’t move or breathe.”

Over the past year, Milo has undergone a series of intense treatments for his cancer, including more than 80 days of induction chemotherapy, over 42 days of additional chemotherapy, and a lengthy abdominal operation and high intensity care.

He also went through high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant - with an almost two-month solated hospital stay - from which he suffered severe side effects, including veno-occlusive disease of the liver.

On top of that he has had 14 cycles of radiotherapy – for which he had to stay totally still and his family could only reassure him through an intercom system - and more than six months of immunotherapy.

Rebecca said of Milo’s time in hospital: “The regular hospitalisation for Milo means he and his sisters, aged now seven and three, cry for each other and all miss mum or dad as we alternate our 24/7 hospital stays to be with Milo.

“Covid added to frustrations of living at Bristol Childrens Hospital. No siblings could visit, no classroom lessons, no play room, one parent only at any time.

“It added to Milo’s plight as he should have started school; instead he was fighting for his life separated from childhood normalities.”

Rebecca explained that if a child with the cancer reaches remission, the relapse rates remain high risk, and it then becomes even more difficult to treat.

The family are asking for donations to contribute towards treatment which is not offered on the NHS, and is only available outside of the UK at “significant cost” - with some trials costing more than £250,000.

Rebecca also said that Milo’s treatments so far have taken their toll, and that he may need further support to recover from their side effects.

The organisers of the memorial match in Sling this weekend have decided to raise money for Milo at the event as he and his uncle Nick, who lived in Bream, were very close.

The match will involve players from Sling Under-15s, who Nick’s son Bradley plays for.

The event has been organised by fellow parent and Under-15s supporter Diane Watkins and the club, and will feature a range of attractions, including a bouncy castle, face painting, craft stalls and a raffle.

Prizes have been donated by local businesses including Wye Valley Bakery, Pedalabikeaway and Perrygrove Railway, with all monies made being donated to Milo’s fundraiser.

To donate to Milo’s cause, go to www.gofundme.com/f/milos-neuroblastoma-fundraiser.

For details of this Sunday’s fundraiser, go to Sling Football Club’s Facebook page.

Those interested in running a craft stall at the event should contact Diane on 07785135410.