TEACHERS and staff at Lickey Hills Primary School are training to run 10k in support of one of their students, who is fighting a rare form of leukemia.

Oliver Portman, from Cofton Hackett, was diagnosed with type T acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the start of the year, and has since endured a series of seizures, caused by a blood clot on his brain, which left him in an induced coma for three days.

Despite doctors' predictions, nine-year-old Oli is now breathing, talking, eating on his own - while staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital work with experts from across the country to plan Oli's treatment.

To thank medics for their hard work, Oli's teachers are taking part in the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k, and are hoping to raise more than £1,000 for Oli's hospital ward, 15.

Deputy head teacher Helen Williams said: "We were just feeling really helpless not being able to help Oli, but we've been hearing how fab Birmingham Children's Hospital are being and wanted to do something to show our appreciation.

"One of our year five teachers Sarah Brooks was doing it already and convinced about 15 of us to join in.

"Oli's one of those boys that everybody knows, whether you taught him or not. He's like a ray of sunshine - so funny and polite."

Lickey Hills' nurture team have also stepped up to provide extra support to Oli's younger brother Lewis, age 7, who is also a pupil.

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Helen added: "Everyone's very fond of Lewis. The class teacher's assistant at our reception took the nurture role and pops in every morning to check how he's coping.

"If he's feeling okay he gives her a thumbs up, but sometimes he'll give her a thumbs down and they'll go and do something together."

Oli and Lewis's mum Claire said the school's support had been a 'weight off the family's minds', knowing Lewis is being looked after.

"We've been in and out of hospital for the last couple of months, which is a long time for a family, and even longer when you're as young as Oli and Lewis," said Claire.

"The school has been so supportive and the teachers have been popping in to visit.

"We've still got a long way to go with Oli's treatment, so it's a weight off our minds knowing Lewis is being well looked after."

Lickey Hills' parents and teachers have already donated board games, colouring books and Lego sets to stock up the ward 15 playroom, and raised £450 towards their fundraising goal with a charity bake sale last month.

To sponsor staff on their charity run, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/lickeyhillsprimary12.