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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

£50k raised in three days for boy, 6, with year left to live

More than £50k has been raised for a six-year-old boy with just one year left to live.

In December, Jayden Lamerton's mum, Chelsea, got a call from his school to say her son's left eye had "turned inwards". After taking him to hospital doctors told the family his eyesight was fine and booked Jayden in for an MRI scan.

The family was then told Jayden, 6, had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma - a rare form of brain tumour - and only had twelve months left to live. Jayden's dad Jamie said it is "every parent's worst nightmare."

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Jamie told the ECHO: "He was fine and there was nothing wrong with him, then we found out. Bristol Hospital said they have not had a case of DIPG in two years and now my son has it.

"My heart has just been stamped all over and we are all struggling. He has siblings, who he will not get to see anymore and he is best mates with his younger brother who is five. It's hard to digest that he might not reach his next birthday."

DIPG originates in an area of the brainstem, called the pons. The pons is an area deep within the lower part of the brain that is responsible for a number of critical bodily functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and blood pressure.

LFC fan Jayden lives in Plymouth with his mum and step-dad Daniel and the family said they are now trying to make as many "special memories" as they can. His dad said Jayden will receive radiotherapy to "give him as much time as possible".

Jamie who is, 31, said: "He is such a happy, caring, and loving little kid who will help anyone out. Jayden is so gentle and amazing, you could not ask for a better son. Now we just want him to have the best time possible and that is what we are going to do."

"No family should experience this, there is so much we need and want to do in our short time left. We want to make his dreams come true."

Jayden is "football mad" and supports Liverpool, his family are taking him to Liverpool FC's next home game against Chelsea, and are hoping to meet some of the players.

The family set up a GoFundMe page to help with travel, petrol and hotel costs as well as helping the family create memories together in his final months. The fundraiser now has almost 3,000 donations adding up to £53,600.

In an update the family said: "We are completely overwhelmed with the messages and donations we have received in such a short space of time. It's comforting to see the extent of human kindness during the darkest time of our lives.

"Lots of things already planned because of the support from everyone. Thank you again."

If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page more information can be found here.

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