Aunties stage fundraisers for brave young nephew with brain tumour

Now, however, life for Jacob and his family has changed radically, as he battles a high risk, cancerous medullblastoma brain tumour that has also affected his spinal cord, in Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Jacob's mum, Lucy Roberts, 30, explained how her son became ill over Christmas, with headaches, fatigue and sickness.

Lucy and her partner Jason Robinson, 32, became increasingly concerned about their son’s symptoms, after initial consultations with doctors put them down to viral or throat infections.

On January 8, the worried couple took Jacob to A&E at Bassetlaw Hospital, where he was found to have a low heart rate. But a CT scan undertaken there appeared to show normal.

He was sent to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he was given a lumbar puncture that resulted in an unusual reaction, visible in his eyes, said Lucy.

It was at Sheffield Children's Hospital that a doctor picked up swelling on Jacob's brain from his scan, and diagnosed a brain tumour that was later confirmed by an MRI.

"It was a nightmare finding out what was wrong," said Lucy.

"Jacob underwent surgery and had the tumour removed, but the cancer had spread to his spinal cord and other parts of his brain.

"He has had one set of chemotherapy and is due another, but he has issues with VP shunts that have been put in, so chemo is delayed for another week," explained Lucy.

"Once he's had the chemotherapy he will need to go to Manchester for five weeks for radiotherapy".

She continued: "He's been in hospital since January with only a couple of brief visits home, but he's stronger than I'll ever be and is so brave.

"He's a cheeky chappie and gets everyone laughing.

"We are just doing the best we can. We have to be strong for Jacob and for Amelia, his sister, who is eight".

Lucy has had to give up her job in community care to cope with the situation, and Jason, who works at Rope Assemblies Ltd, is on leave currently.

"Our world changed in an instant," added Lucy, and because of the substantial impact financially on the family, two of Jacob's aunties have organised and completed fundraisers.

Charlotte Robinson raised over £5,500 by a half-marathon charity walk, and this week, Becky Brockbank underwent a sponsored head shave at Jacob's school, Norbridge Academy, with donations still welcome at https://gofundme/9e1a178c6.

A spokeswoman for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that ‘Jacob was at Bassetlaw and Doncaster and undertook tests to support diagnosis’.