Little Harry Addy is having to endure 18 months of chemotherapy but his family revealed they have been comforted by the community's support

A community has rallied round to support the family of a six-year-old boy who has brain and spinal tumours.

Single mother-of-four Melanie Addy, 32, is trying to keep her son Harry's spirits up as he has to undergo 18 months of chemotherapy to stop the growth. He has already been hospitalised twice since the treatment began, after his temperature reached a dangerous 38C.

She said: 'When he's in hospital he does not like it. I'm trying to keep that smile - he's got the nicest smile.'

A tumour in his spinal cord was discovered in December 2015 and he had two operations at Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge to remove it in January 2016.

But they could only remove about 80pc of it and when he woke up he could not walk. To cheer him up, he was given a specially-designed wheelchair, which was paid for by Stalham and North Walsham Round Tables.

His mother said: 'Unfortunately, a scan found the tumour was growing quicker and had spread to his brain. The problem with chemotherapy is that it kills the good as well as the bad cells, which means that Harry will pick up any germs.'

Various fundraising events are being held to support the family, which also comprises Daisy, nine, Tilly, four, and Hattie, eight months.

Mrs Addy, from Stalham, said: 'I think how the community is helping is quite overwhelming and brings it home how massive it is for Harry to have to go through. It is awful. No parent would want to see a child go through that.

'Harry asks me 'Why does this have to happen?', and Daisy says she wishes it could have been her.

'It has affected everyone so much. I would like to thank everyone for their support. Everyone's been amazing.'

Fundraising activities lined up include a sponsored skate at Stalham sports centre on March 25.

On April 1, also at the sports centre, there will be a fitness fun evening, from 6-8pm.

The Grebe pub in Stalham is holding a raffle, the Swan Inn, also in Stalham, a booksale, and the local swimming world group held a sponsored swim.

For more information visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/HelpingHarry and https://gb.eventbu.com/stalham/helping-harry/1024927