A SERIOUSLY ill Parkwood youngster has begun an intensive seven-month course of treatment after an aggressive form of childhood cancer re-appeared in two different parts of his body.

Nine-year-old Callum Ingham has suffered a relapse. He has neuroblastoma, which is an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

His mum, Kim Ager, said: "Callum was clear back in April, but last month he had his MRI scan and we were told the cancer was back in his bowel and on the outer part of his bone at the top of his right leg.

"He's feeling fine at the moment, to look at him you wouldn't think he'd had chemo. But he's likely to get more poorly as the chemo goes on. He's braver than I am!

"He has a home tutor who comes and teaches him each day, and we give him daily injections in his legs to boost his bone marrow."

She explained that the seven-month course of treatment, which Callum started early this month, includes high dose chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. She said he would also need a stem cell harvest and bone marrow transplant.

As the life-saving treatment Callum needs is not available on the NHS his family and friends have been trying to raise half a million pounds to send him to America for treatment.

His mother said there were still "one or two" treatment options available for Callum in the UK, but stressed that his relapse made it all the more important that people continue supporting the fundraising drive.

The campaign to help Callum should receive a boost this month courtesy of an "endurance challenge" taking place at University Academy Keighley.

Keighley and Craven Athletics Club will host the six-hour team endurance challenge on September 27.

Organiser Franki Coulthread, an engineer at Steeton's Acorn Stairlifts, said she learned about Callum's plight from work colleague Terri Barker, who is a friend of Callum's mother.

Miss Coulthread, who lives in Utley, and is a member of Keighley and Craven AC, said: "A friend of mine has had cancer since she was seven, so even though I don't know Kim I feel I can understand what she must be going through."

Explaining the plans being drawn up for the endurance event, she said she was looking for teams of up to six to participate.

"The event is open to all levels of abilities, so people shouldn't be worried if they've never run on a track before," she added.

"There will be prizes for the most laps completed, a raffle and a tuck shop, so people should bring a little bit of cash with them. All proceeds will go directly to the Callum Ingham Appeal."

People interested in entering a team should e-mail their team name, address and contact number to kcac_ready2run@hotmail.com They can also e-mail this same address if they want to volunteer on the day or are willing to donate raffle prizes.

Registration and team briefing on the day of the endurance challenge begin at 8am, with the challenge itself starting at 9am.

People wanting to support the appeal can visit justgiving.com/CallumInghamAppeal or can donate by texting CALL77 and the amount, between £1 and £10, to 70070.