A WEYMOUTH school has rallied to support one of its young pupils who is facing a terminal illness.

St Nicholas and St Laurence Primary School is holding a host of fundraising events today to help the youngster have the holiday of a lifetime with his family.

The little boy’s parents have asked the Dorset Echo not to identify him.

He suffers from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a type of brain tumour, which is at present incurable. The condition affects fewer than 40 children a year in the UK.

Headteacher Helen Williams described how the whole school has come together in support of the young pupil.

She said: “I stood in the school office and a five year old child brought in a bag of change. She had emptied her money box to donate to this appeal. This is so humbling.

“There is an urgency about this fundraising. It’s about the here and now. It’s all about giving opportunities today for a child who has just a few tomorrows.”

Symptoms of DIPG include a child squinting, having trouble swallowing, slurred speech, facial weakness, an abnormal gait, having difficulty with tasks like handwriting and changes in personality and behaviour.

Cakes will be on sale all day today at the school in Broadwey. Anyone is welcome to go along for a cake in return for a donation at the foyer of the school. Parents have been asked to bake cakes for the school to sell for 50p each.

Other events include a raffle and a table top sale, which take place from 2pm in the playground, or the main hall if it’s raining. Donations for raffle prizes are also being accepted.

The school’s Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) have approached Weymouth businesses and received an overwhelming response, with raffle prizes including signed River Cottage books, a gas boiler or service, tickets to Weymouth Sealife Centre, tickets for the pantomime Snow White at Weymouth Pavilion and a Minion Movie hamper from Morrisons.

Relatives of the pupil have set up a JustGiving page, and kind hearted friends, local businesses and parents of the youngster’s classmates have already donated an incredible £9,633.

Anyone wishing to donate can visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/emma-thomas-1

Other fundraising events are expected to take place in the near future.