AN APPEAL to help a seriously ill Keighley boy needs the public’s support now “more than ever” according to the child’s father.

Nine-year-old Callum Ingham is back in hospital undergoing intensive chemotherapy, having been allowed home for Christmas.

His dad, Matthew Ingham, has been told the latest course of treatment has a 35 per cent chance of success. Even if it works, there is a high chance Callum could suffer a further relapse.

Family and friends have been running an ongoing campaign to try and send Callum to America for potentially life-saving treatment, which is not available on the NHS. But the appeal is only £20,000 towards its half-a-million pound target.

Callum has an aggressive form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, and is currently being looked after in Leeds General Infirmary.

Following some hopeful improvements in his condition last year, he and his family were left devastated after the cancer resurfaced in his bowel and on the outer part of the bone on his right leg. Callum’s mum, Kim Ager, said there are few medication options left for her son in the UK.

Mr Ingham added: “We need support for the fundraising more than ever.

“Callum had an operation on December 16 to try and remove as much of the tumour from his bowel as possible. They’ll use radiotherapy for the cancer in his leg.

“They also did biopsies on his right side, which showed neuroblastoma activity.

“This was a major abdominal operation and he was poorly for a few days afterwards. But he’s such a strong boy and he did really well. He was able to be at home during Christmas.

“He’s now back in hospital and the chemo he’s receiving is so harsh and powerful it makes him feel very sick. He will also need to have stem cells replaced.”

The cancer was first discovered in Parkwood Primary School pupil Callum in the summer of 2013. He was suffering from stomach ache, which doctors put down to appendicitis. But when surgeons prepared to remove his appendix, they discovered the real reason.

Since his diagnosis, as well as the chemotherapy, Callum has undergone radiotherapy, a stem cell harvest and injections in his legs to boost his bone marrow.

Visit justgiving.com/CallumInghamAppeal to donate.