A SCHOOL near Tenbury is pulling out all the stops to support a cancer charity, after a nine-year-old pupil was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease

The staff at Lindridge Primary School are raising money for charity organisation Young Lives versus Cancer who provide services to families with children or young people with cancer so that they can focus on what’s important during the tough time.

Amber Beverley-Smith, aged nine, a Lindridge school student, who lives in Eastham, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer of the brain and spine in August 2020 and is currently undergoing treatment. Amber and her family have been supported by the charity from the beginning, and continue to receive their support.

It was in May last year, during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic that Amber became unwell.

It started with very bad headaches, problems with vision, being sick and then difficulties with her movement, explained mum Tracy Beverley-Smith.

“We spoke to the doctor but did not have a face-to-face appointment,” said Ms Beverley-Smith.

“I just don’t know if it had not been for Covid whether we would have had an earlier diagnosis.”

She says this cancer is so rare that there is only one case a year in this country.

“Things got so bad that I just put Amber in the car and drove her to Birmingham Children’s Hospital,” she added.

This was in August and then things started to move fast.

Amber had a scan and an operation on her brain within a few weeks.

She has also undergone chemotherapy and radio therapy. Three hospitals: Birmingham Children’s, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and Worcester are involved in her treatment.

This week Amber has been in hospital in Worcester, as a precaution, having picked up an infection.

“We are so proud of her because she has been so brave,” said Ms Beverley-Smith.

Amber has been able to go back to school for a visit and the hope is that she will soon be able to return on a more regular basis.

The staff at Lindridge School have decided to walk the 31 miles of the Worcestershire Way over two days in June on Saturday 19 and Saturday 26. Amber hopes to join her teachers near the end of the sponsored walk so they can cross the finish line together.

Some of the staff are new to walking such distances so they are getting prepared with training when possible so that they can do their very best and make it to the end.

People who want to donate can contact the school or go on its facebook page.

CLIC Sargent helps to provide a lifeline to people like Amber and her family.

When cancer strikes young lives, the charity organisation helps families limit the damage it causes beyond their health.

Every day, 12 more children and young people in this country will hear the devastating news they have cancer.

From diagnosis, the charity's specialist care teams will step in, ready to help, support and guide.

It provides a package of support tailored to each young cancer patient and their family.

The charity will fight tirelessly for children and young people with cancer, often when they feel they can’t cope.

It helps individually, locally and nationally, so that they can focus on the important things, like getting well.

If the worst happens, the charity will work with bereaved families to get them support, to help them cope with their emotional pain.

Just £38 could cover the cost of a family staying overnight in one of the charity's Homes from Home, providing free self-catering accommodation for the family, near to specialist children’s cancer hospitals, which are often many miles from a family’s own home.

Although cancer can hit people of any age it is predominantly a disease of the elderly and so children and young people can find it difficult to get all the support they need. Cancer sufferers face the medical challenges but also emotional issues.