THE father of a Stocksfield schoolboy who is undergoing radiotherapy at a specialist hospital in Florida is on a mission to thank the healthcare professionals who have cared for his son.

Five-year-old Oliver Macklam was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumour, an Ependymoma tumour, which is thought to only affect 30 to 40 people a year in the UK, in April.

The Broomley First School pupil underwent 10-hour brain surgery at the RVI in Newcastle to remove the tumour, following which he was cared for by staff in the intensive care unit and then Ward 1B – a children’s neuroscience unit.

“The staff on the ward and intensive care are incredible; you can feel the care when you are in there,” said David (40).

“That’s why I’m hellbent on raising money for them.”

Four weeks ago Oliver and David, along with David’s mum and sister, flew out to Jacksonville, Florida, where Oliver is now receiving proton radiotherapy at the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.

The radiotherapy, which will target any small remaining particles of the tumour, is not available to children in the UK, but Oliver’s treatment is being funded by the NHS.

Now David is hoping that Oliver’s friends, family and supporters can cycle, walk or run the 4,154-mile distance between Newcastle and Jacksonville to raise money for the ward at the RVI, as well as two children’s charities – Clic Sargent and The Sick Children’s Trust.

David said he thought the ward was lacking in basic things like toys, games, televisions and DVD players which help make the lives of children there a little easier.

And in a heart-warming surge of support, communities, groups and individuals from across the district have rallied round to offer their help.

Their local pub, the Dr. Syntax, now has an exercise bike for customers to help them clock up the miles, while the Black Bull in Wylam will be holding a charity night on August 26 – with prizes being donated from businesses across the North-East.

Matfen Hall’s golf manager Nicola Hawes has taken on 500 of the miles to complete herself, and Broomley First School will be playing their part by asking children to walk or run a mile in school and get sponsors.

David said: “I’m humbled sitting here looking at everything going on at home.

“People have said to me that they feel there is nothing they can physically do while we are here, so they feel the best thing to do is to support us in raising the money for the hospital.

“It won’t benefit Oliver but it will benefit anybody else in the future who has to go through that.”

A Team Oliver Paypal fund can be found at paypal.me/pools/c/859kLr6dIV.