A youngster who had to have his left eye removed after he was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer walked six miles around London in the dark to raise money for charity.

Kyle Yeupiksang, of Foster Road in Hitchin, was joined by family and friends on Friday to raise money for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust after the charity supported the Whitehill Junior School student following his diagnosis.

Speaking to the Comet this week, Kyle’s mum, Mellissa, talked about the journey Kyle and his family have been on over the last two years.

“Kyle was first diagnosed with retinoblastoma two years ago at the age of eight,” she said. “He came home one day with a pinky eye. We covered the eye and took him to the optician, who said he had a tumour in both his eyes. Kyle kept saying he couldn’t see anything in his left eye.”

The mother-of-three said it was a terrifying time. “We knew nothing about cancer and nothing about the tumour,” she said.

Kyle was transferred to the Royal London Hospital, where treatment for the cancer started.

Mrs Yeupiksang said: “He had to have his left eyeball removed and had to have treatment for the tumour in his right eye, which he still has.”

Kyle has been fitted with a prosthetic eye in his left eye. The tumour in Kyle’s right eye has been treated with laser eye surgery and the 10-year-old continues to receive treatment from doctors to keep the tumour under control.

“Kyle has a risk of getting secondary cancer in his life and he will always need follow up visits to the hospital,” said Mrs Yeupiksang.

“At the moment he is doing very well and gets to do what most children his age do, apart from certain sports.

“We take each day as it comes and we’re just grateful he is here with us.”

On Friday, Kyle was joined by school friend Alex Smith, 10, on The Carrots NightWalk, which started at the IMAX cinema in Waterloo.

Alex’s mum, Melanie, said: “We were deeply shocked when we heard news about this condition and Kyle sadly lost an eye. I had never heard of retinoblastoma before and would not want any other family to go through this, so raising awareness is important. We also hope to raise lots of money to support other families.”

To sponsor Kyle’s team visit www.justgiving.com/Kyles-carrot-crusaders