A schoolgirl was diagnosed with stage-four brain cancer after going for a routine eye appointment.
Grace Kelly, 11, was at the eye appointment with her mum Vanessa when the optician discovered swelling behind her eyes and she was referred for an MRI scan.
Vanessa told LeicestershireLive: "I was a little worried but I was told it was just to be safe and we had been really busy with getting ready to go back to school.
On August 26, the day before Grace was meant to go back to school, she had an appointment at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The mum-of-three said: "When the doctor had a look, he said the swelling was off-the-scale."
Grace was admitted to the children's emergency department overnight.
Vanessa said: "I knew they had found something because they kept looking at her through the screen and talking to someone on the phone."
Vanessa was then given the devastating news that Grace had a brain tumour.
She said: "Grace was in bits as well but I just tried to ease her fears."
On September 3, Grace underwent a long surgery at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham to remove the tumour.
Around 85 to 90 per cent was removed, but Vanessa was told the location of the tumour meant it could not be fully removed.
One week later, following a biopsy, Vanessa and John received the news that Grace had stage-four brain cancer.
She said: "It was absolutely devastating. It's all still fresh for our family."
Grace is due to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in two weeks - the severity of the tumour means it is harder to treat and can spread quickly.
Vanessa and John have been constantly researching Grace's condition.
Grace has been able to go to school on a part-time basis but with her hospital visits, Vanessa has had to take time off work.
Vanessa said: "She was looking forward to getting the bus to school with her friends and she was just starting to get more independence with her friends."
Family friend Hannah Huggins has stepped in to raise money for future treatments that Grace might need.
Hannah will be taking part in a sponsored skydive on October 20 to raise funds for the family.
She has also planned a coffee afternoon on October 16 with a number of family-friendly activities at Smeeton Westerby Village Hall, near Kibworth.
Families will be invited to take part in a raffle, children's game and enjoy sweet streets and refreshments. All of the money raised at the event will go to the Kelly family.
You can help the family by donating to the fundraiser here.
