A FUNDRAISING event is being held to raise money for a young Watchet boy who was diagnosed with Leukaemia earlier this year.

Harvey Henderson was rushed to Bristol on his fifth birthday in February after doctors discovered something was wrong.

Although he is doing well, he now faces undergoing at least three years of treatment.

It has been unimaginably tough for his family.

Harvey’s mum, Abby Allen, has had to give up work to care for Harvey.

She said: “The first seven months were hell.

“I had taken Harvey to the doctors a few times in the two weeks before he was diagnosed.

“The doctors thought it was glandular fever but after carrying out blood tests we were sent straight to Musgrove.

“They didn’t tell us what was wrong, just to get there quickly.

“The next day we were sent to Bristol for three weeks. We had no clothes or no idea what was going to happen.

“It was such a tough time for him and just horrible.

“The treatment made him gain weight and for a while he lost the ability to walk.

We were all just so worried.”

Harvey’s sister, Lily, aged 11, was at school when Harvey was rushed to hospital and Abby said the diagnosis has had a big impact on her too.

She added: “We stayed in a special complex for families in Bristol and Lily came to stay with us some nights.

“My partner Neil and I have had to take a lot of time out from our jobs to take Harvey to his appointments but he comes first.

“I couldn’t drive and my work was very understanding. I went back for a while but because of Harvey’s treatment I’ve decided to give it up.”

While it will take at least three years for Harvey to undergo his treatment, Abbey said she is glad he was diagnosed at a young age.

Harvey still has to have the odd week or two off when he undergoes treatment but he is back at school and settling in well.

“He has his good days and bad days and he is so clever ... he knows all the names of his medications and when he has to take them.

“He just gets on with it.

“Everyone just plays as a group at his age which has helped as he did find it a struggle fitting back into school,” Abby said.

The Watchet Mothers’ Club is holding a Christmas Coffee Morning to raise money for a new bed for Harvey.

It will be taking place at The Methodist School Room at Harbour Road in Watchet on Thursday December 12 from 9.30am until 12pm.

Abby wants to buy Harvey a new bed with an area underneath where he can play and still have room for his draws.

She added: “His room is quite small so I want to create somewhere he can go and just play and have fun.”