Boy diagnosed with cancer for second time to raise £100,000 THE family of Soham boy wonder Liam Fairhurst have appealed to the people of East Cambs to help him smash his charity fund-raising target of £100,000. The 12-year-old was this week diagnosed wit

Boy diagnosed with cancer for second time to raise £100,000

THE family of Soham boy wonder Liam Fairhurst have appealed to the people of East Cambs to help him smash his charity fund-raising target of £100,000.

The 12-year-old was this week diagnosed with cancer for a second time and the Ely Standard - with the support of our readers - is determined to help Liam reach his target and raise more money for the Clic Sargent children's cancer charity.

News that Liam is to undergo treatment for lung cancer came shortly after his 12th birthday, when he marked the occasion by handing over more than £70,000 to Clic Sargent - the result of a year of fund-raising.

Thankfully, tumours on Liam's lungs have been discovered quickly, and he will undergo chemotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, this week.

Liam has dedicated the past year to raising money for the charity that helped him and his family through his treatment after he overcame a synovial sarcoma in his leg. Mark Fairhurst, Liam's father, said the news has been devastating for family and friends, but they remain determined to reach Liam's target of £100,000 for Clic Sargent.

"It's been a shock, to say the least," Mr Fairhurst said.

"Liam is absolutely distraught, but he is taking it a lot better than the first time around; we would like people to send him get well messages and cards."

Mr Fairhurst said the support Liam has received for his mammoth fundraising efforts has kept his son focused, and he urged people to support Liam's efforts at www.justgiving.com/liamsmile

Liam received a Diana Award from Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown last month in recognition of his heroic efforts, which began with a gruelling swim, and Mr Brown praised the dedication of the youngster.

Liam raised £20,000 for the mile-long swim, which was further than he could walk at the time, and he added a further £50,000 to his total through an appearance on ITV's Fortune: Million Pound Giveaway.

The panel of millionaires, including Lord Archer and entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, were impressed with Liam's emotional and articulate pitch.

INFO: If you would like to send Liam a get-well card, you can bring it into the Ely Standard office at 38 Market Street, Ely, and we will pass it on to the family.

We also have a message forum for readers to send Liam get-well messages. Come in to our reception and write your own message.

There is also a messageboard at www.elystandard.co.uk/liam