A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help the family of an amazing and much-loved Wirral schoolboy fighting cancer.

Tom Stiles, aged 10, from Newton, was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma just after Christmas and faces a daunting two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy - a long time for somebody so young.

A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the condition mainly affects children and teenagers. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, tiredness and high temperatures.

Tom lives with mum Rach, older brother Louie and their dog Princess Lola. Five years ago the family lost beloved dad Rich to cancer.

Tom, who attends Black Horse Hill Junior School in West Kirby, was just five at the time and has struggled ever since with understanding his own grief as a result of being so young when this tragedy occurred.

That year Tom and brother Louie Stiles performed the Wirral Hospice St John's Light Up A Life switch-on in their dad's memory. Rich died at the hospice after being diagnosed with Pseudomyotonia Peritonis, a tumour affecting the stomach.

Little did the family know that after Christmas just gone, they would face this nightmare once again.

In a bid to help #TeamTom – a group of close friends of the family - have begun to raise funds, so when those 'downs' occur, they can hopefully make things just a little better for themselves.

Future fundraising plans include a bag-packing day at Morrisons in West Kirby a week on Saturday, February 24; a coffee morning at The Ridger in Newton on Friday, March 23, to which everyone is welcome and a Race Night at Hoylake Rugby Club on Saturday April 21.

Pupils at Black Horse Hill Infant and Junior schools will be holding a non-uniform day in aid of the campaign on Thursday March 29.

A family friend, who is also a member of Team Tom, told the Globe today: "Without a doubt Tom's illness and consequential treatment will affect the whole family.

"It will be a long and arduous journey filled with ups and downs, however, we - #TeamTom - close friends of the family, have begun to raise funds, so when those 'downs' occur, they can hopefully make things just a little better for themselves.

"Tom is the most amazing young man.

"He is incredibly popular amongst his peers, he is very funny, exuberant, mischievous and possesses the biggest heart that any 10-year-old could wish for.

"Tom loves playing Rugby and has a massive love for Everton Football Club.

"Anybody that has the fortune to have met Tom and his family, will be a happier person for doing so.

"Rach, Louie and Tom are overwhelmed at the support they have already received - however, it says everything for them as a family.

"They are much loved - by many people, and because of that we would like to raise as much money as we can for them to help them through this difficult time and beyond.

"The support has been amazing so far, there's been cake sales, two of Tom's friends have shaved their hair off, t-shirt and wrist bands have been made.

“A huge number of local shops and businesses are kindly displaying our donation buckets.”

To support their campaign, visit the The Facebook page Tough Tommys Travels, The Twitter page Travels@ToughTommy10 and Instagram page #ToughTommysTravels

Their Justgiving page is www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tomstilesteam