A COMMUNITY is rallying to support the family of a young boy diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Kind-hearted school children at Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School have raised nearly £2,000 from a sponsored walk for fellow pupil Arron Thomes who suffers from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The four-year-old reception pupil was diagnosed with the illness on February 8 and his generous classmates and two-year-old sister, May, braved the wind and rain to trek up Latterbarrow.

His mum Claire said she was overwhelmed by the support the school and other people in the village had shown her family.

“I can’t express how grateful we are to Hawkshead school and the local community for their support and help. We’re going through a lot at the moment and constantly going back and forth to Manchester for his treatment so it’s been amazing to know the community is thinking of us,” she said.

Arron is undergoing chemotherapy at Manchester Children’s Hospital and his mum said news of the walk had lifted his spirits.

“His treatment is intense and can make him feel quite low but he knows all about the walk. He loves going on that hill himself and it’s a lovely local spot,” she said.

Arron’s father, Mike, is a technician at the Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge, and has spent this week in hospital with Arron as he undergoes another round of treatment.

Head teacher Joyce Hallam said she was proud of all the children for taking part in the walk.

“It was muddy and soggy, but the children were passionate about doing something for Arron and his family. They’re all thinking about him.

"His two-and-a-half year old sister May who is in pre-school also joined them on the walk which was lovely,” she said.

The total amount raised for the Thomes is expected to be far higher than the amount collected so far as children continue to bring in their sponsorship money.