A LITTLE boy who is battling cancer can now look forward to a dream trip to Disneyland with his family, and spending time at home in his very own sensory room, after his community rallied around to raise more than £30,000.

Since he was just five-years-old, Tyler Witherall, of Bowers Road, Benfleet, has been fighting tumours in his brain and spine, which have made him deaf and blind in his right ear and eye, as well as paralysing him down his right side.

Now aged seven, his family has been told by specialists that Tyler has advanced tumours in his brain.

Although the news has devastated his family, thanks to the kindness of friends, family, complete strangers and the Make A Wish Foundation, the youngster will now visit Disneyland Paris next month. And he’ll get a new specialised bedroom complete with shower room to make his life more comfortable.

Vikki Hazell, 33, Natalie Meader, 36, and Kay Ross, 35, all mums who have children at Tyler’s school the Holy Family Primary School, Benfleet, are leading the fundraising drive for Tyler.

Vikki said: “We started fundraising for him in 2015 and managed to get about £7,000 for a sensory room, but soon realised it was going to cost much more to get the extension built.

“We’ve done little bits and bobs since then but after finding out his condition had got worse we wanted to do more. Make a Wish have paid for five members of his family to go, but as he is very close to his cousins and other members of his family we have managed to raise enough so that all ten of them can go with him for four days. The building work on his extension has actually started now too; because Tyler lives with his nan Dawn Witherall, he hasn’t really got his own space but this will give him that.

“JVH Building Services are doing the work and gave us a big discount for the sensory room, which will have murals of things like Spiderman, sensory equipment and someone has even donated a bed for him too.”

To raise the cash towards the sensory room and trip of a lifetime for Tyler, Vikki, Natalie and Kay have organised many fundraising events, including one which was held with just a weeks notice at The Anchor Inn Pub and raised £6,135.

Vikki said: “I can’t tell you how many people were asking what they could do to help or were giving us donations or how many changed their plans to be there.

“About 150 people turned up so it was amazing. Literally the whole Benfleet community have pulled together like you would not believe; we managed to get raffle prizes from almost every business in Benfleet.”

The mums and their friends have also raised about £1,800 after beginning a running campaign called 500 miles for Tyler’s Smiles, which sees them take part in running races around the country to raise money - all while decked out in bright orange - Tyler’s favourite colour - as Team Tyler.

Vikki added: “I really do think this has been a case of Benfleet SOS for Tyler’s room and an amazing story of getting the community to pull together for this amazing little boy!”

Tyler’s nan Dawn Witherall, 46, and his mum Amy, 24, added: “It’s absolutely amazing how everyone has come together to help and support us.

“It’s wonderful what they have achieved in so little time. Vikki and the girls have worked so hard.

“We all want to thank everyone for their support and for helping us; it’s the emotional support they have given us too.”

Tickets are now on sale for a fundraising evening at the Tandoori Parlour in Hart Road, Thundersley, on March 31. Search for Tyler’s Battle on Facebook.