A YORK teenager will spend his 14th birthday in a Leeds hospital on Sunday after beginning a battle against cancer.

Ryan Miller, of Acomb, has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma after a lump the size of a small orange developed on his neck.

He started chemotherapy at Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday as doctors conducted scans and other tests.

His friends at York High School are rallying round and sending cards to him as he prepares to mark his birthday on a ward and friends are starting a campaign to raise funds to support his family.

Ryan’s mother Katie said he had been "very brave" since the diagnosis. “He hasn’t moaned or cried - he just gets on with it,” she said. “His mates are being very supportive.”

She said Ryan had stage 3 cancer, with the problem also being found in his kidneys and the other side of his neck. “The treatment will be the same and the outcome is very positive,” she said.

She said Ryan had not felt ill and it was only after several visits to a GP surgery and A&E that his cancer was diagnosed, with doctors repeatedly saying they believed the lump was due to a cyst until one finally became suspicious and ordered a biopsy.

She said the devastating diagnosis came a little over two years since her sister Amy died following complications during a heart transplant operation.

She revealed how Ryan had helped her and Amy distribute aid to victims of the York floods in late 2015 when the Ouse and Foss rivers burst their banks.

The sisters’ work led to them being jointly nominated for a York & District Medal - a scheme organised by The Press and City of York Council, with support from York-based mutual healthcare provider, Benenden, which provided recognition for the efforts of people who stepped up to help out.

Commemorative medallions were presented by the Lord Mayor of York at a special, investiture-style reception at the Guildhall, with Amy’s presented posthumously.

The sisters’ friend Hayley Coles said then that Amy had helped victims despite being seriously ill with a heart condition and they gave their time to others without a thought.

Close friend Lisa Harrison said yesterday she was trying to raise £1,000 to help support Ryan and his family, and was planning a family funday at Acorn rugby club on July 29, with stalls, raffle, tombola, bouncy castle, reptile show, face painting and a barbecue.

She also had plans for an X Factor-style event and a fun run, but with details still to be arranged. She said: “Katie has now stopped work to concentrate on Ryan and her family. Anyone who has had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of Katie’s kindness and love, or Ryan’s ability to make everyone laugh, will already know what an amazing family the Millers are.”

The fund total stood yesterday at £431.To support the appeal, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lisa-harrison-2.