Cancer boy ready to travel to US

The type of treatment Alex needs is not available in the UK

The mother of a four-year-old Leicestershire boy with a brain tumour has confirmed he will go to the US for potentially life-saving treatment.

At least £30,000 had to be raised to pay for Alex Barnes to travel to Florida to undergo an operation and proton treatment.

His family, from Fleckney, were struggling to find the cash.

But since an appeal on East Midlands Today and BBC Radio Leicester the donations have flooded in.

Alex has a condition known as anaplastic ependymoma.

I'm overwhelmed, I'm humbled by people's generosity Ros Barnes, mother

The type of proton treatment the family say he needs is not available in the UK, but the NHS have backed their decision to consider proton treatment in the US.

Surgeons in Florida, where Mrs Barnes' brother and parents live, have told Alex's mother Ros Barnes they would waive their surgical fees for the operation.

She stressed proton treatment was safer for children as it did not damage surrounding tissue.

"If he had radiotherapy he would probably be disabled for life," she said.

At least £6,000 was raised on Friday alone, with a lot more already pledged.

"People have posted money through our letterbox. I'm overwhelmed, I'm humbled by people's generosity," Ms Barnes said.

Alex and his family should be in Florida by next Friday.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Alex's school, Stoneygate School in Great Glen.