Colchester mother raising funds for her son battling cancer

Katie Bolke-Carver, 33, of Berechurch, Colchester, is the mum of Niko, 4, who has spent the last two years battling leukaemia.

Before the family moved to the city, when they were living in South Hornchurch, Niko became very poorly in early 2022.

He developed a fever, earache, and his whole body hurt, before he was taken to A&E at Romford Hospital after enduring a 16-day fever.

Family - Left to right: Katie, Niko, Nina, and Timo Bolke-Carver in February last year (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

After undergoing a blood test and subsequent transfusion, Kate was given the devastating news that Niko had leukaemia.

Due to the country still being impacted by the Covid pandemic, Kate had to inform her partner, Timo Bolke-Carver, 37, over the phone.

She said: “I was given information from the consultant and had to share with Timo, as we couldn’t be together.

“I had to tell my husband the worst news over the phone.

“I sobbed, that’s the only way I can explain it, I kept staring at Niko, who was fast asleep.”

Family time - the Bolke-Carver family in autumn 2023 (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

Since the diagnosis the little boy, described as “cheeky”, “laidback”, and courageous, has been through a lot.

Once treatment started, he had to take oral chemotherapy every day and double doses every Friday.

If he ever gets a fever, he must be at Colchester Hospital within the hour.

Niko is currently in the maintenance phase of treatment, meaning every four weeks he has to undergo IV chemotherapy.

Every 12 weeks, meanwhile, he attends Great Ormond Street Hospital where he has a lumber puncture at the bottom of his spine while under general anaesthetic.

Brave - Niko Bolke-Carver recieving medicine in February this year (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

During this process, he has fluid drawn out which doctors then test for leukaemia cells.

They then infuse chemo treatment through his spinal cord in an effort to protect it and the fluids around his brain.

Niko's ordeal has had a great impact on the family and his sister, Nina, 6, who is extremely anxious due to constantly worrying about her little brother.

However, Kate now hopes more positive days could be on the horizon, with Niko approaching the end of his treatment this month.

She has now launched a GoFundMe Page in a bid to make up for lost time by ensuring Niko and the family can enjoy exciting and fun experiences together.

A lot to battle - an image of Niko Bolke-Carver upset (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

Courageous - the Bolke-Carver family celebrating Niko's 'partial remission' last month (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

She added: ”I don’t think Niko remembers going to the beach.

“They don’t need anything materialist. We want to make up for lost time and create those special family memories, we just haven’t got the funds for them.

“Hopefully it will help to enable to buy travel insurance, flights, and more.

“I think life is short and we need to make the most of every day he is feeling better.

“I’m one of those people who struggles to take money or take compliments, I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for him.

Bonded - Niko and Nina Bolke-Carver together this week (Image: Katie Bolke-Carver)

“Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this article and considers donating.

“We want to make him smile and any donation will help us enable to do that.

“We really appreciate it; it will mean the world to us.”

To donate, head to tinyurl.com/nas27u9t.