A FLIXTON grandma is leading an appeal to raise awareness about a rare brain cancer which her grandson has.

Julie Heery and her husband John have lived in Trafford all our lives and Flixton for the last 41 years and their son Adam and his partner Kaye from Altrincham emigrated to Australia in December 2012.

They got married and had three children - Travis, aged six, Zane, five and Bellamy, three.

The couple live in Bellbowrie - a suburb in Brisbane but their lives changed forever in December last year.

Julie said: “We received a devastating phone call from Adam in Australia telling us that Travis, had DIPG – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour with no cure/zero survival rate.

“The diagnosis for Travis was six to nine months life expectancy but with radiotherapy it might give him a little bit more time.

“There has been no progress in the treatment of this childhood cancer in 40 years, which usually affects children between the ages of five and seven.

“Within a few days of receiving the heart-breaking news we flew out to Brisbane to support them. We stayed with Adam and the family over Christmas and for nine weeks in total while Travis had his 30 sessions of radiation treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, which finished on February 11. When his treatment finished, Travis rang the bell to signify end of treatment.

“Travis had a scan which revealed his tumour had shrunk by over 50 per cent which is a bittersweet pill to swallow as it does not change the outcome. Travis may have further radiation treatment in the future.

“May is national DIPG month and we want to raise awareness. Adam’s company, Eureka Furniture, have set up a GoFundMe page which to date has raised over $25,000.

“Adam and his family have to face the devastating news that they may only have a matter of months left with Travis, their precious six-year-old son, and we want to make as many memories as they can without the worry of financial commitments. Any donation, great or small, will help the family with strong Trafford connections, fulfil Travis childhood dreams.”

n Do you want to donate money to the family? Visit: https://gf.me/u/xdx3qz