THE Aberystwyth community has rallied around a family following the ‘devastating’ news that seven-year-old Rufus Palmer has relapsed with leukaemia.

After three and a half years of “gruelling treatment only 18 months ago”, Ysgol Plascrug pupil, Rufus Palmer has now relapsed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Sarah Bennett-Day set up a fundraiser following the news and has already raised £6,390 for the family.

Sarah said: “Research by young lives vs cancer identifies that, on average, parents spend £600 a month extra during active cancer treatment on travelling, parking and increased energy bills with many families also suffering lost earnings.

“The pressure of managing finances causes considerable stress and anxiety during what is an already impossible time for the family.

“The money raised here will be used to help cover costs of travelling, food, and expenses whilst staying away from home and, if possible, a family outing when Rufus is well enough.

“Please, please give generously. They are in a situation absolutely no family would ever wish to face.”

Sarah and her family met Rufus when their son, Ru, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the same time, in 2016. Both young boys were initially at Addenbrookes, East England, before Rufus’s family moved to West Wales.

Sarah said Rufus will now “endure a new mixture of even stronger chemotherapy, steroid and immunotherapy treatment with a potential stem cell transplant”.

Rufus will, at times, be “hooked up 24 hours a day to a pump and require several monthly hospital stays” for specialised treatment, bone marrow aspirations and monitoring.

Little Angels Nursery, in Aberystwyth, have also decided to donate half of the funds raised by their annual Children in Need fundraiser to Rufus and his family.

In the past, the nursery has raised over £1,000, but Manager Alan Gbel is hoping to “match that and even eclipse it”.

Alan said the cause is “very close to our hearts” as a member of staff, Angie, is Rufus’ grandmother.

“Every year the nursery does a fundraiser for Children in Need where we do loads of fun activities, dressing up and a big raffle with prizes donated from local businesses,” Alan said.

“When we heard about Rufus’ leukaemia relapse we decided to amend our fundraiser and instead split the money raised between Children in Need and Rufus and his lovely family.

“We felt this was only right as it is something that is really close to our hearts. Angie, a member of our staff team, is the grandmother to Rufus and his little brother also attends the nursery each week.

“Therefore we know the family really well and all about the battles they have fought in the past and now face again.

“We can’t sit by and not help in any way we can, so if this can help support the family in any way then we are more than happy to do it. After all, this is the very definition of a Child in Need.

“We hope we can play our little part in making things easier for Rufus and his wonderful family.”