THOUGHTS and prayers from people in Ludlow and south Shropshire are with a brave little boy facing the fight of his life – for his life in hospital in Birmingham.

Hundreds of people took Jack Edwards and his family to their hearts when he was diagnosed almost three years ago with leukaemia.

Thousands of pounds were raised to help Jack, who was first taken ill in January 2013, and his mum Chrissie.

It was revealed that Jack would require years of treatment and his mum who has two other young children faced regular trips to Birmingham to be with Jack while balancing her role with her other children.

People from Tenbury, where the family has strong links and where his aunt Annie Woodhouse lives, also threw themselves into the fundraising that helped the family pay for the travel.

Jack made great progress and despite his treatment has been determined to lead a full life including going to school at Cleobury Mortimer Primary.

The family was looking forward to Christmas but on Wednesday, December 2 a routine blood test revealed a devastating secret.

“Jack was due to complete treatment in May 2016, so has battled for three years,” said his aunt Annie Woodhouse.

“He has been doing exceptionally well in beating this terrible disease and despite a few minor set-backs and several nasty infections, he has been living life like a normal little boy (such as going to school), determined not to let cancer get in the way of his childhood.

“Over recent weeks, Jack has shown increasing symptoms of a relapse in his treatment, although he has been generally well in himself and doctors assured us that there could be alternative explanations for these symptoms, so our concern was not too high.

“On Wednesday, December 2, following the request for a bone marrow test, we received the heart-breaking news that Jack has relapsed and leukaemia is present in his bone marrow.

“The only way now for a cure for Jack is a series of very aggressive chemotherapy treatments, followed by a bone-marrow transplant. He is back on ward 15 at Birmingham children's hospital and treatment is expected take around a year. Jack will be spending the majority of his time in hospital.

“Once again, Jack’s family are torn apart with Jack’s mum Chrissie at her son’s bedside and trying her best to bring some sort of normality into her other sons' lives, Jamie, who is eight, and Zak, four.

“Jack’s brothers have been extremely brave in taking the latest news and have made their brother very proud.”

His aunt who led the fundraising in the Tenbury area said that the family is determined to remain as positive as it can.

“What lies ahead now for Jack are some extremely difficult challenges but, despite being seriously ill, he continues to battle on with a big smile,” she added.

“Jack’s battle is our battle and we will never ever give up hope that he will make a full recovery and go on to live the healthy life that he has so desperately fought for.”

A group has been set up to organise events to raise funds and a date is being set for a football match in the period between Christmas and the New Year as well as a charity auction.