A SCHOOLBOY who underwent treatment for a brain tumour in America has returned home to the Tyne Valley.

Five-year-old Oliver Macklam, from Stocksfield, has been battling an Ependymoma tumour, a rare type of brain tumour that only affects 30 to 40 people a year in the UK.

After having the tumour removed during a 10-hour operation at the RVI in Newcastle, he was cared for by staff in the intensive care unit, and then on Ward 1B – a children’s neuroscience unit.

Following that, the Broomley First School pupil travelled to Florida with his dad, David, for proton radiotherapy, funded by the NHS.

Oliver has responded well to the treatment, which targeted any remaining particles of the tumour.

David said: “The doctors are amazed. Quite a few kids get sickness and headaches, but they say Oliver has coped remarkably well.

“The support from people here has been overwhelming. There’s been loads of fund-raising going on, and we’ve got our massive charity night at the Black Bull in Wylam coming up.

“I’m taking him back to the RVI to see the staff.

“The staff there were amazing so a big thanks to them. That’s why I’m determined to raise the money.”

David is raising money under the handle of Team Oliver, so that Ward 1B can buy more toys and games, making life a little easier for the sick children being cared for.

Money will also be donated to children’s charities Clic Sargent and the Sick Children’s Trust.

On August 26, the Black Bull in Wylam is hosting a charity night to raise money for Team Oliver, with prizes donated from businesses across the North-East.

The local community has rallied round Oliver while he has been in America, with supporters joining David to collectively cycle, walk, or run the 4,154-mile distance between Newcastle and Florida to raise money.

In fact, so many people have joined in that the aim is now to complete the return journey as well.

Meanwhile, pupils at Broomley First school, along with parents and staff, each ran a sponsored mile at the school’s sports day, raising over £1,500. And Oliver’s former nursery, Little Tinklers, organised two superhero days and raised more than £1,500.

A darts tournament at Prudhoe Social Club, where teams competed for the Oliver Macklam trophy, raised more than £520.

David added: “We’re going to spread the money out, but Ward 1B will be getting a lot of it. They were great.

“Oliver has several follow-up appointments over the next six weeks. We’ve just got to try and let him recover in that time, and hopefully he will be back at Broomley in September.”

David is raising money through Team Oliver’s Paypal account on www.paypal.com/pools/c/859kLr6dIV or online at Just Giving