Overwhelming support for Charlie's cancer battle

THE mother of a boy fighting cancer has thanked the public for supporting an appeal to send him abroad for potentially life-saving treatment.

Charlie Hook was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer, on his fifth birthday.

Although Charlie is responding well to treatment so far, doctors have told his parents there is still an 80 per cent chance he will relapse.

Now, his family have launched the £300,000 Charlie Hook Appeal to send him for potentially life-saving treatment in the US or Germany if he relapses and the cancer returns after radiotherapy.

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If Charlie relapses, the most effective treatment for the disease is not available in the UK and many families take their children abroad to give them the best possible chance of survival.

Now, his mother, Nicola Hook, 32, said she has been amazed by the response to the appeal so far after more than £2,000 was raised in less than a week.

Nicola, of west Hull, said: "We have got off to an absolutely fantastic and overwhelming start.

"But there is still a long way to go and we need the support to be ongoing until we reach our target.

"People I have never met are planning events and donating.

"There was even a £40 donation from a lady in Australia and a £25 donation from a lady in the US. I can't thank people enough."

Nicola first noticed Charlie was unwell when he developed swelling above his eye at Christmas.

Doctors initially thought it was a bruise but tests in January revealed he had neuroblastoma.

Nicola said she hopes she will never need the money for Charlie. But she said it is likely to be needed due to the high relapse rate.

She said: "If Charlie is given the all-clear in five years, the money will go to help another family whose child needs treatment for neuroblastoma.

"But we need to make sure that money is there for Charlie if we need it."