Volunteers' touching support for Oliver Muter, the three-year-old battling brain cancer for the third time

Left: Oliver, aged three, on his way for his first radiotherapy treatment. Right: At just weeks old, Oliver pictured after a bleed on his brain.

At just five weeks old, Oliver Muter was rushed to hospital where his parents, Hayley Downey and Jordan Muter were told the three-year-old had a brain tumour.

Little fighter Oliver has since been diagnosed with medulloblastoma – a cancerous brain tumor – undergone 16 operations, intense chemotherapy and beaten cancer twice.

However, tragically in April, doctors found another two tumours on Oliver's brain.

Oliver pictured last year when doctors found a second brain tumour.

This time they were inoperable, and chemotherapy was no longer an option. Oliver’s only chance was radiotherapy, with treatment starting in May.

After seeing the news, a group of volunteers based in Washington were desperate to help and support Oliver and his family, so started fundraising and sharing Oliver’s story.

Within two weeks the group had raised £350, which they gave to the family to help with fuel costs going back and forth from Newcastle’s RVI Hospital.

Since then, the group has gone on to more than £2,500 to buy Oliver, who is partially sighted, some sensory toys and fund for the family to take a trip away to Butlins, when it is safe for Oliver to do so.

Member of Washington Volunteers, Kimberly Allison, said: “We were just desperate to help in any we can. We saw his story and it really hit home. He’s such a fighter.”

Washington Volunteers were able to raise the money through numerous raffles and online events and by spreading the word of what Oliver and his family were going through, with the story touching the hearts of many.

Oliver started radiotherapy in May and thankfully recent scans have shown a slight reduction in the size of the tumour, but the family know it is still very early days yet.

After hearing Oliver was going through a third battle with brain tumours, his parents were devastated but were hopeful their little fighter would show everyone how tough he is.

Recently, Oliver’s Mum Hayley has started a Go Fund Me page for people to support Oliver and set up Oliver’s Journey Facebook page where you can keep up to date with his progress.

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