The family of a 10-year-old boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumour five weeks ago are appealing for help to fund life-saving treatment.

Harley Hall started complaining of headaches in early February, before saying his left hand felt strange about two weeks later.

After a trip to the doctors Harley, right, who celebrated his 10th birthday on Saturday, was told he was playing too much on his PlayStation and that he may also need glasses.

Then Harley was at school when his mouth suddenly dropped and he began slurring his words.

An MRI scan at Lister Hospital in Stevenage found a tumour in his brain the size of a small orange.

Harley had surgery to remove the cancerous tumour at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge the following and, just two days later, he was allowed to go home.

Grandparents Lorraine and Peter Meadows, who live in Pirton, have been amazed at the strength of Harley’s resolve throughout his treatment.

“Every time I talk about it I well up,” said Lorraine. “Because you never think this sort of thing will happen to you, but all you can do is to try and cope as a family.

“Harley has been coping better than any of us – he is such a lovely boy and he has dealt with everything remarkably.

“Everything happened so suddenly but the support from friends and family has been amazing.”

Dad Jason said: “Everyone is so pleased and amazed at how well he is doing. The speech therapist and physiotherapist are both overwhelmed by his progress.”

But further treatment is now needed in the form of proton therapy, which is not currently available in the UK.

Harley is flying to Oklahoma in the United States today – accompanied by dad Jason and his mum Amber – for the two-month course of treatment.

‘Harley’s Brain Tumour Fund’ has been set up on the GoFundMe website in a bid to raise much-needed cash to support Harley and his family.

Jason explained: “The flights for two carers and Harley’s treatment are funded by the NHS.

“However, we need to consider parking costs, fuel costs, loss of earnings, new passports, visas, insurance, and the cost of living while away and still paying bills in the UK.

“Our two girls, aged seven and four, will be looked after in the UK, but will be visiting us halfway through the two months of treatment for a week.

“We have no savings, so all this cost has come to us as a shock, and we just want Harley to get better and be happy.

“To help us achieve our goal of getting back to as close to normal as possible, financial help would be greatly appreciated.

“We just want our little boy back.”

Harley’s fellow students and teachers at Garden City Academy in Letchworth will be holding a fundraising day in his honour today, Thursday.

To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/harleyhall66.