I want to help charity that supported my son, says mother of cancer sufferer

Paula Hitchen's son Connah Lavender has bravely battled ill health since being diagnosed with cancer of the eye socket.

Four years ago the boy - now aged 12 - travelled to Oklahoma in America with his mother and father Steve Lavender where he underwent vital proton treatment after friends raised £4,000 towards the cost of the trip.

This greatly reduced the tumour that had swelled to the size of a golf ball and allowed its removal by surgeons at Birmingham Children's Hospital where Connah had earlier been on a course of chemotherapy.

But he still had difficulties linked to mobility and other issues and so the Make-A-Wish Foundation stepped in to make a dream come true for the boy by arranging for him to swim with dolphins on a holiday with his parents in Florida paid for by the charity.

Paula from Chilton Drive, Willenhall said: "We had an amazing time and it did Connah the world of good. He was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2011 but there have been no signs of the disease for some time. He has a scan every six months and we are keeping out fingers crossed.

"I was so grateful for all the help we had from friends, family, total strangers and the charity. It made such a difference to our lives and I wanted to help others in a similar plight to have that sort of support."

Paula, who also gives talks to parents with sick children, is now a Make-A-Wish volunteer and although still to complete all of her training has already managed to raise £500 for the foundation through friends at her Slimmaway class that meets at St Mary's Church, Willenhall.

She proudly handed over the cheque to the charity at the church hall on Tuesday evening and said: "I am so excited to be doing this charity work. It can be a terribly traumatic time for a child but kids are so resilient. These trips can be so good for them.

"The look of joy on their faces speaks a thousand words."