The father of a young boy who died after a brave second battle with cancer has paid tribute to his “amazing” son and thanked well-wishers who raised more than £250,000 to help pay for his treatment.

Hartley lad Jack Howard, 13, passed away on December 5 after weeks of pioneering treatment in Los Angeles failed to cure his kidney cancer.

The Gravesend Grammar School pupil received support from all over the world during his fight to beat the disease, leaving him and his parents Nick and Zoe completely overwhelmed.

Speaking to our sister paper the Gravesend Messenger for the first time since Jack’s death, Mr Howard said: “It wouldn’t have been possible to give Jack that chance out in America without your support and everyone else’s support.

“We owe everyone a massive thank you and will be indebted to them for the rest of our lives. It wasn’t until we got home that we realised just how great the support was and I owe so many thanks.”

Jack, a former pupil of Our Lady of Hartley Primary School, had previously undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2013.

He also had a kidney removed before going into remission in February 2014, but the cancer returned in December 2015. Six months later, doctors thought he only had weeks to live.

The youngster took a dangerous turn just a fortnight before flying to LA in September, with UK doctors again worried about how long he had left.

But Jack and his family did make it to the US, where the first consultation meeting cost £1,000 alone.

The treatment was estimated to cost a total of £250,000, with a £75,000 deposit, so his aunt Keely set up an online fundraiser with a £250,000 goal.

Mr Howard continued: “We are quick to slate the NHS but everything has a price in the US. You feel a lot safer in this country with the NHS. We didn’t have the support system that we had in the UK.

“We have quite a substantial amount of charity money left over and we want people to know that we’re going to be responsible with that money.”

Among the options being considered at the moment are donating funds to children’s charities, or putting it towards cancer research.

Around £150,000 has been left over thanks to the generosity of well-wishers across Kent and beyond, with support even coming from The Rolling Stones and Jack’s beloved West Ham United.

Mr Howard said: “Jack was blown away by it. He’s a massive West Ham fan and of Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones as well.

“I am a big Rolling Stones fan and one of the reasons we named him Jack was the Jumpin’ Jack song.

"Jack was only young but he knew who they were and all their songs. He was absolutely blown away by it all, he really was.

“The boys at Gravesend Grammar School were sending messages and support, his old primary school as well. Jack was so grateful for everything. He was as grateful as me and Zoe are.”

“I don’t want Jack to be remembered for just the cancer... He was an amazing kid and I am so proud of him” - Nick Howard"

Jack’s funeral took place on December 15 at St Francis de Sales Church in Hartley, which was where Jack’s parents were married and he and his siblings — younger brother Callum and little sister Lucy — were christened.

Mr Howard said there was “a massive turnout” for the service, which created “a real sense of community” in the village.Two of Jack’s Hammers heroes, Dimitri Payet and Sam Byram, called him while he was in hospital, where he was pictured enjoying visits from the resident therapy dog and LA Galaxy soccer star AJ Delagarza, a former teammate of David Beckham.

France star Payet said after Jack’s death: “I really enjoyed our conversation with Jack a few weeks ago, so it’s very sad news. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who helped treat him and wish his family well.”

His head teacher at Gravesend Grammar, Geoff Wybar, described Jack as “a very brave young man who fought his illness with determination and positivity”.

Mr Wybar said: “Jack was immensely proud of his school and we are hugely proud of him. In a relatively short time with us Jack made a positive impression on so many people. His life was short but his legacy will live on in those who knew him.”

“I don’t want Jack to be remembered for just the cancer,” said Mr Howard.

“He was an amazing kid and I am so proud of him.”