The family of a courageous boy battling cancer is appealing for support through an online fundraising campaign.

Kathryn Edwards, who is organising the campaign, has managed to raise £15,240 towards a £20,000 target to support her son Kaiden.

Kaiden Edwards, age 9, from Flackwell Heath was diagnosed with a brain tumour on Thursday, June 23 2022, after experiencing head pain, nausea, sickness and double vision in November 2021.

He then had an operation to remove the tumour when a biopsy came back as grade 4 medulloblastoma. After undergoing proton beam therapy and chemotherapy, in July 2023, Kaiden rang the milestone bell to mark some of his treatment ending.

Unfortunately, a routine MRI scan check up on March 20 picked up a spot on Kaiden's spine. 

On further investigation, this has turned out to be a relapse of medulloblastoma, a tumour in his spinal cord.

"We are absolutely shattered and heartbroken, " Kathryn said.

"He has had a lumbar puncture today which will determine treatment options going forward.

She went on to note that the family will consult further with experts come Tuesday.

Despite the pain, Kathryn Edwards expressed her determination to ensure Kaiden lives his best life.

"We want to be able to give him as many experiences and treats as we can," she explained.

"We want every single day for Kaiden to be full of fun, laughter, new experiences and of course love.

"We want him to enjoy spending time with his siblings, cousins, nephews and niece and friends, and just have fun. 

The funds raised will also help the family cover travel costs for hospital visits which, according to Edwards, add up quickly.

"We would be required to travel to John Radcliffe, Stoke Mandeville and potentially London (UCLH) depending on treatment," she said on the Go Fund Me page.

There are also hospital food costs, which can quickly become expensive, as illustrated by the cost of a single bottle of Dr Pepper for Kaiden at £2.49.

A portion of the money will also be used to explore potential alternative therapies and treatments.

Kathryn said: "We just don’t know yet what our options are, we will be looking in to clinical trials, treatments and holistic therapies, we don’t know the cost of these but we will update on here and let you know if and when we access these.

"Until Tuesday we just don’t know what this will look like."

Kathryn thanked the Wycombe community, friends and family for their support.

Adding: "I really don’t expect anyone to provide for us, your love and support is enough.

"If you do feel you can help with a donation then it will be greatly appreciated, although not an expectation.

"We are so grateful for our support network, and would not want anyone to put themselves in financial hardship by helping us, this is the last thing we want.

"I don’t expect anyone to provide for us; your love and support is enough.

"We are eternally grateful for all of you, your messages of support are heart warming and we really feel we have an army behind us.

"Thank you for being our village and thank you for being Kaidens Army." 

The family is encouraging supporters to donate and share their fundraising link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4d5m22-kaidens-fund.