A Norwich grandmother is trying to raise funds for a dream trip to Disneyland for her grandson Charlie Ryan who is battling cancer.

Marion Stroud, 67 and from Old Costessey, said she also wants to raise awareness about the signs of neuroblastoma – a cancer of specialised nerve cells.

Four-year-old Charlie lives in Perth, Western Australia, with his mum and dad Sam Stroud and Tony Ryan and his two-year-old sister Orla.

Mrs Stroud and other members of the family were visiting them when Charlie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma on New Year's Eve last year.

She said the family had taken Charlie to hospital after he had seemed lethargic and complained about his back and legs aching.

After numerous tests they found out Charlie had neuroblastoma.

The cancer had started in Charlie's adrenal glands and had spread to his lymph nodes and bone marrow.

Since then Charlie has been in and out of hospital for treatment including eight rounds of chemotherapy, an operation in April to remove a mass from his tummy, stem cell replacement treatment, and now radiation treatment.

Mrs Stroud said she was so proud of how her grandson was dealing with everything, and that she really wanted to help raise funds so that he could go to Disneyland Hong Kong with his mum. dad and sister.

Mrs Stroud said: 'Charlie is a really, really brave little boy when you consider what he has been through.

'He is very positive and he has always got a little smile on his face.

'He told his mummy, 'I really, really, really want to get better because I want to go to Nanny's house in England.'

'The whole idea of this trip to Disneyland would be fabulous.

'I think he would just be absolutely over the moon.

'He would be so excited, and it would be a family break for them all which they so, so need.'

Mrs Stroud also stressed that the whole family wanted to boost awareness of neuroblastoma to help other families.

'We would like to raise awareness of neuroblastoma because until we were told that was what Charlie had we had never heard about it,' she said.

'It is so important people know about neuroblastoma and what the signs are.'

To raise funds for Charlie Mrs Stroud is holding a bonfire night for friends and family on Saturday and she said she was very grateful to the many businesses who had donated raffle prizes.

Mrs Stroud's daughter-in-law Carly Stroud has also raised money from a cake sale and is organising a duck race in Hevingham on Saturday, November 12.

Anyone wanting to donate funds for Charlie's trip to Disneyland Hong Kong can contact Mrs Stroud by calling 01603 742536 or emailing colin@colstroud.wanadoo.co.uk

Are you raising funds for a good cause? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk