Dream appeal launched for Littlehampton’s brave Jack

Three-year-old Jack Weaver’s life was turned upside down when diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, in November, 2013.

The youngster, then two, had been a bright, bubbly tot. But within days of falling ill he was left fighting for his life.

Mum Amy, 23, of Cheal Way, Littlehampton, said that when Jack became ill, the family took him to their local GP who initially thought the youngster had pneumonia.

He was transferred to St Richards Hospital, Chichester.

“Within six hours of being there, we were blue-lighted from Chichester to Southampton General Hospital not knowing what was going on,” said Amy.

Jack’s condition soon deteriorated and he was rushed into intensive care where doctors were forced to drain fluid from his lungs and conduct a range of tests.

Within three days, Amy and husband Jon, 33, were told their son had cancer.

“It was a real shock,” Amy admitted. “Cancer is some-thing you expect older people to get, not two-year-olds.”

Jack underwent intensive treatments of chemotherapy which left him very ill.

“He went from a happy little two-year-old to a lifeless almost-three-year-old who couldn’t walk. It was heartbreaking,” Amy said.

The family decided to start an appeal to try to give Jack and his younger sister Adelaide, two, a holiday to Disneyland Paris. “When I asked Jack where he wanted to go, he pointed at Mickey Mouse and said ‘there’.”

The family are hoping to raise £3,000 to pay for the holiday. They have started a Facebook campaign which has already generated £300.

The family’s efforts are being supported by Brighton and Hove Albion, which donated a signed football shirt for auction. To help the appeal, search ‘Jack’s Disneyland Dream’ on Facebook or contact the Gazette on 01903 714135.