Special annexe nearly finished for Sutton Bridge boy battling cancer

Generous tradesmen have nearly finished building a special room for a schoolboy battling cancer.

Jack Naish, 10, from Sutton Bridge, has been undergoing chemotherapy at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge after a routine eye appointment revealed he had a brain tumour.

The community soon rallied round to help. Shaun and Oliver Maddison offered their trade services for free to build an annexe - which has been named Jolly Jack’s after the youngster, who family described as “jolly and outgoing”.

Belinda McClements, Jack’s legal guardian, said: “We called the extension an annexe but that felt a bit of an old person’s name.

“It is called Jolly Jack’s because you wouldn't know how poorly he is and he is getting excited about his room.

“If they hadn't done it I don't know when it would have been finished and it is starting to look lovely now.”

The extended room will create more space for a nurse to take weekly blood samples fromJack, who received the diagnosis in June last year.

Belinda said: “Jack is doing really well at the moment and he has put on weight which is quite good.

“He is well in himself but his blood can be low in between chemo.

“He has chemotherapy monthly and at the last scan there was no change.”

Belinda added: “When he had his last scan we were hoping for better news.

“The chemo is now monthly and it is about keeping up with all the appointments and preparing him to go back to school.

“I would have liked to have kept him in primary school for another year - he is so tiny as the tumour is affecting his growth.”

Another drug would be available to try but only if Jack’s health worsened which has put the family in a ‘Catch-22’ situation.

Belinda said: “To be put on the other drug you have to deteriorate.

“Obviously we would love him on the other drug but we don't want him to deteriorate.

“He is getting back to his old self as much as he can - he knows he’s got a tumour and is living with it.”

However, Jolly Jack’s is making a positive difference to the brave lad and his family.

Belinda said: “Jack is having a good input on it and wanted it red as it is his favourite colour.

“The room will be grey with a bit of red in it with red accessories which he is pleased about.

“I just want to thank all the fundraisers, tradesmen and all the people that have helped.”

The room should be ready in the next couple of weeks thanks to Shaun and his team laying flooring, insulation, plastering and completing plumbing for a wet room.

The project would have taken much longer without assistance.

Belinda aims to keep things as normal as possible for the youngster who during this difficult time needs to keep an emergency 999 bag at all times.

She added: “Jack did ask me one morning how bad it is.

“It is kind of a heartbreaking question when he asks that.

“We might be wrapping Jack up in cotton wool but you can't go on waiting for a nightmare to happen.”

Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/jacks-journey to support.