THE family of a 13-year-old boy who has been fighting brain cancer since he was a baby have launched a fundraising campaign in a bid to pay for potentially life-saving treatment abroad.

Tyler Yates, of Farnham Close, Leigh, was diagnosed with a brain tumour on his first birthday and has since undergone brain surgery on three occasions as well as five rounds of chemotherapy and two courses of radiotherapy.

Doctors discovered new grade four tumours in the Bedford High School pupil's brainstem in January and concluded that surgery to remove them is not an option.

But American specialists have told the family they have the expertise to tackle the tumours.

Tyler's mum Pamela said: “He is fighting this little demon in his head and we are going to do our utmost to get the best treatment for him.

"If the tumours get bigger they could press on important areas of the brain, causing severe problems.

"NHS doctors say they can't do anything for him but I have spoken to specialists in America who believe they can attempt to remove tumours from Tyler's brain.

“As he looks so healthy people do not understand that he has this thing in his head which has not only caused unseen problems but can also make him much worse very quickly.

“He is very tough and does not complain much considering what he has got and what he has to go through. He has always been a happy, pleasant, helpful boy who does well in school and receives praise from everyone who knows him.

"It would be the best thing in the world if we could pay for the treatment in America and let him lead the life he deserves.

“He deserves to be a normal boy living his life without this dark cloud above him."

Pamela, 39, and Tyler's dad Alex, 43, have set up a JustGiving page with a £100,000 target for the expensive treatment and a bucket collection for their only child was held at the rugby league Challenge Cup match between Swinton Lions and Wigan Warriors at Sale Sharks' Heywood Road ground on Sunday.

If the family ends up with more money than the treatments costs, or they end up not using the money for Tyler, the leftover cash will be donated to The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity and Max In A Million.

Pamela says the two brain tumour support charities have been a godsend for the family.

She added: "Tyler was first diagnosed with a tumour on his first birthday but I believe more should be done in this country in terms of investigating whether babies and children have tumours.

"Although babies are more likely to be ill and cry a lot, they should be considered and investigated more for potential underlying problems.

“If Tyler’s tumours had been detected earlier and removed completely first time he may not be on the path he is now.”

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TylersFightClub.