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A brave youngster who watched his mum beat cancer is about to start his own gruelling battle with the disease after being diagnosed just before Christmas.
Ellis Dockerty, 12, who is in Year 8 at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs, has osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and will undergo chemotherapy as well as have a metal rod put into his leg, leaving him in a wheelchair for some time.
But the courageous Stormzy fan insists he is not scared and will fight it "just like his mum".
Inspired by her "incredible" nephew, his aunty Vicki Mcmillan, from Ramsgate, has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the frequent trips to hospital in London and also to take him for a special meal with his family.
"As it stands they have to travel up to London five times this week, which is about £100 per trip," Vicki said.
"This is all before he starts his chemotherapy. As he is going to get extremely poorly, we wanted to raise funds for him to be able to go to a meal before he starts his chemo.
"He is also incredibly scared of losing his hair, so my sister is talking about getting people to donate hats for him to make it fun."
Ellis spent Christmas Eve in hospital having MRI scans and a biopsy taken.
Vicki said: "His favourite rapper is Stormzy and when he had all his scans, he was told he could listen to any music he wanted.
"Most children pick nursery rhymes, but he chose Stormzy - it was blasting out of the room at 7am."
She says Ellis is going to try to keep going to school after his first round of chemo, but it is likely he may feel too poorly in the future.
"He has a fantastic attitude and has told my sister that she fought cancer and so can he," she said.
"He also said to her that most families are scared of cancer, but 'we are not'. He is incredible - I’m so proud of him."
Vicki says her sister Gemma, Ellis' mum, beat thyroid cancer.
"To then have to watch your child go through the same is heartbreaking," Vicki added.
"I simply cannot sit around and do nothing. I cannot even imagine how they are feeling. I want them to not have the financial worry alongside the health worry.
"I know it’s just after Christmas, so money is tight, but anything people can give would be amazing."
To donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-transport-for-ellis
