A week of action to raise money for a little girl fighting a rare form of cancer will begin on Monday.

Isla Austin, two, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma six months ago and will be heading to America soon for intensive treatment.

When she gets home she will need up to three scans – which can cost £10,000 each – and therapy.

Martin Hughes – a leading light in the Stacey’s Smiles charity set up in memory of nine-year-old Stacey Mowle, from Gravesend, who lost her battle with the disease in 2015 – has taken up Isla’s cause.

Isla’s uncle Richard Bowes, of Longfield, used to attend Saint George’s school in Gravesend with Mr Hughes and made him aware of the campaign.

Mr Hughes has come up with the idea of holding a week of fundraising activities to contribute towards the cost of Isla’s after care.

Dubbed Isla Week and with the slogan ‘Seven events to raise seven grand for Isla. Seven days to save kids’ lives from cancer’, activities will take place at venues, or ‘islands’, around the town.

It kicks off on Monday with a boxing session at the Guru Nanak Sports Club, Khalsa Avenue.

Participants will get the chance to learn seven different disciplines of the sport before sparring with Kent super middleweight champion Ricky Sandhu.

Other events include a darts tournament at the Bat and Ball pub in Wrotham Road, a seven-a-side football tournament at Saint George’s school, karaoke at the Coach and Horses in The Hill, Northfleet, a confectionery day at Invicta Bar in Windmill Street, a DJ extravaganza at The Grove nightclub, and – to finish the week – a Stars In Their Eyes event at Kent Cocktail Bar in Gravesend High Street from 3pm to 11pm on Sunday.

Mr Hughes hopes variations of Isla Week will now take place every year for children fighting the disease.

For information, email Martin Hughes at mshughes76@gmail.com; to donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/islaaustinsupport