Schoolboy, 13, raises thousands to make memories with his teenage sweetheart girlfriend after she is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour

Bobby Patterson, 13, and Jenna-Lee Carrington, 14, from Washington are like any other teenage sweethearts who are madly in love and want to spend time together.

However that time has become more precious after Jenna was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Now Bobby has raised thousands of pounds which he wants to spend making memories with his girlfriend of 15 months.

The teenager said he was heartbroken after Jenna’s diagnosis before Christmas.

He said: “My heart broke for her. She's my best mate as well as my girlfriend and she's always supported me with my boxing by coming to watch me or speaking to me straight after.

“I would like to raise as much money as I can to help Jenna and her family to make magical memories.

“She is the prettiest, loveliest, strongest and bravest girl and I love her so much.”

And Jenna’s mum Wendy Carrington has praised the young boxer for supporting Jenna through her diagnosis.

In December Oxclose School pupil Jenna was rushed to hospital when she suffered a fit in school after suffering with migraines and feeling unwell.

Her parents to the Sunderland Royal Hospital and ater a CT scan, she was taken to Newcastle’s RVI where they were told the devastating news she has an inoperable brain tumour that is fast-growing and cancerous.

Jenna’s mam, Wendy Carrington, 38, said: “She’s really brave. She’s the bravest one of the family.

“There’s absolutely loads going on and it’s overwhelming but we really appreciate the support. Bobby is a god-send. He adores the bairn to bits.

“My friends and family have started fundraising too and it’s all coming on really well. Some of the money will be used for Jenna’s memories and the rest will be donated to the RVI and charities.

“We’re keeping our hopes up and treasuring each day we have got. You never know what’s around the corner.”

Bobby and her friends have been visiting her to keep her spirits high and Bobby has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money to make all-important memories with Jenna.

Within less than 24 hours, the page reached its target of £1,000 and it has now been raised to £2,500. Then, on its second day of running, it raised nearly £2,000 after over 100 people donated.

Bobby’s mam Rebecca Patterson, 35, has been overwhelmed by the support for her son, Jenna and Jenna’s family has received.

She told the Echo: “I think he is a little trouper. It’s heartbreaking. I think he is really brave but he’s that type of boy and he loves her to bits. He’ll do anything for her.

“The fundraiser was all his own words and ideas. It’s so overwhelming. It feels brilliant to be over the target amount so quickly. We didn’t think people would be this kind.”

The keen boxer, has also planned a sponsored spar at District Youth ABC Boxing Club on January 30 to raise the funds

A Facebook page named ‘Jenna's Troops’ has also been set up as family and friends rally in support of Jenna and her family.

The Bradley Lowery Foundation has offered Jenna and her family their corporate box at the Stadium of Light on the Saturday, February 22, but her step dad, Mark Costello, is a Newcastle fan.

He claimed that if he manages to raise £200 then he would attend the match wearing a Sunderland shirt. This has now been raised to £5,000 after hugely exceeding the target. The family has said they have invited Bobby along to this as a thank you.

On his Go Fund Me page ‘Make Me a Mackem for Jenna’, Mark said: “I have told her I will not celebrate if they score!

“Deep down I will be hoping for a Sunderland win but I won’t tell her that and just the idea of me in a red and white top has already made Jenna laugh.”

Jenna begins chemotherapy and radiotherapy this week.

To donate to Jenna’s stepdad’s fundraiser click here to visit the Go Fund Me page.

To donate to Bobby’s fundraiser, click here to visit the Go Fund Me page.