Shropshire boy fronts national cancer research appeal

Tommy - pictured with parents Jo and Chris - is due to finish his treatment in 2024

A boy diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of four is part of a national fundraising appeal for cancer research.

Tommy from Telford is recovering after almost three years of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

The appeal is on behalf of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) London to fund new, gentler ways of treating children.

Tommy's family have also set up their own charity to fund research into his condition to help others.

Tommy's story has been at the centre of the ICR's fundraising campaign since November, and so far the appeal has raised more than £120,000, according to the centre.

Tommy's father Chris said he could not be more proud of how his son handled his treatment.

"Tommy now has maintenance therapies, including daily medicine, monthly steroids and chemotherapy, and regular lumbar punctures.

"He's responded well and in 2024, he'll be finishing treatment."

Once done, Tommy wanted a limousine home from hospital and a party with friends to celebrate, his dad added.

'Rang bells'

The family became aware of the work of the ICR while reading an article in hospital, which led them to contact one of the centre's professors, who had spent years researching why children developed leukaemia and what could be done to prevent it.

"It's complex," said Chris, "but one key element is the lack of exposure to infection for young children, so their immune system isn't primed. It rang lots of bells for us with Tommy."

One idea under consideration is a probiotic drink that could "prime" the immune system to stop this happening, he said.

Tommy wants a party when his treatment ends

The family have set up their own charity called Prevent ALL, to support the ICR's research into the condition and support other families facing the same diagnosis.

"We need to stop other children from having to go through this," said Chris.

"Not everybody gets the privilege of growing old, but every child should get a chance to have a good start in life."