The Sk8ters roller rink at Madison Heights, Maldon, is holding a fundraising event for a local 5-year-old with rare cancer, on July 29.

Ellis, from Chelmsford, was diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma two years ago. Neuroblastoma is a rare and aggressive cancer which affects 83 children per year in the UK. 

The event will donate all ticket and raffle proceeds to the family.

Despite immediate chemotherapy treatment, Ellis's cancer continued to spread and is not responding to treatment. He has exhausted all treatment options in the UK.

The family's GoFundMe 'Help Save our Ellis' states Ellis needs 'CAR T' therapy, which is being trialled in Rome and costs £270,000.

"There are trials out there to help Ellis and we will not give up on him," his family said.

"Ellis has been fighting for such a long time and he's doing an amazing job but if he is going to beat this he needs our help too.

"Ellis is full of life and we need to keep him this way."

The Sk8ters Skate for Ellis session at Madison Heights costs £13.95 and includes three and a half hours of skating, games and a DJ. 

Ellis's parents run an Instagram account to document Ellis's treatment journey. Ellis is now undergoing another round of radiotherapy, to try and reduce the risk of the cancer causing a spinal compression, which could lead to the loss of Ellis's legs.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of specialised nerve cells, and is most frequently seen in very young children. It most often occurs in one of the adrenal glands in the abdomen but can also occur in the nerve tissue. Neuroblastoma accounts for only 6 per cent of childhood cancer registrations in the UK. 

More fundraising in the Maldon District:

• The Liam Taylor Legacy.
• Charity Skydive for Teenage Cancer Trust

Tickets can be purchased via the TryBooking website. Donations can also be sent to the 'Help Save Our Ellis' GoFundMe page.

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