GIVEN just weeks to live, little Luke Bell is currently enjoying a whirlwind of memory making with his friends and family rallying around.

As he prepares for a happy Christmas surrounded by loved ones, his supporters are preparing to carry him through the toughest fight he has faced yet.

Last week, his family were given the devastating news that, after battling for almost two years, the eight-year-old's cancer had spread and that he could die within weeks.

Vowing to do all they can to save the Darlington schoolboy’s life, the family are now hoping that their community will back them in a last-ditch attempt to raise £100,000 for trial cancer treatment.

Luke’s father, Mark Bell, said they are currently waiting for doctors to approve plans to fly the child – who is fighting neuroblastoma - to Barcelona to undergo treatment grounded in chemo and immunotherapy.

BRAVE: Luke Bell on the shoulders of his father Mark

LITTLE FIGHTER: Luke Bell on the shoulders of his father, Mark

In the meantime, the family are focused on making the most of Luke’s time and ensuring that he has the best Christmas possible.

The weekend saw him enjoy a rugby match from a VIP box at the Northern Echo Arena before gaming with friends aboard a Battle Bus in the arena’s car park. Soon, his schoolfriends will join him for a Christmas party.

Mr Bell said: “We were told last Monday that Luke’s disease had spread and 70 per cent of his bone marrow now has neuroblastoma – without treatment, he has weeks, months at best.

“Knowing how aggressive this disease can be, we have been trying to mentally prepare ourselves but getting the news has just been devastating, I’ve never experienced anything like it before.

“There are no viable options left in this country but we’ve spoken to a top hospital in Barcelona who are running a trial – we’ve sent over reports from Luke’s consultants and we’re now waiting for them to make a decision.”

CHALLENGE: A dawn to dusk charity rugby event takes place at The Northern Echo Arena in Darlington in aid of Luke Bell who suffers from the same cancer as Bradley Lowery. Luke and his dad Mark Bell Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

FAMILY LOVE: Luke and Mark Bell

Mr Bell said the family took some consolation from knowing that Luke’s participation in other cancer trials, even though they were of no benefit to him, would help researchers move treatment forward.

Calling on the public to help in any way they can, he said: “As a family, we are struggling to cope with a situation you never expect to go through – we are totally and utterly devastated but are throwing ourselves into fundraising.

“We are ultimately realistic and know that Luke’s chances are very slight so we are focusing on enjoying the time he has and on making sure he is happy, pain free and comfortable as we make as many special memories as we can.

“We don’t know where we would be without the support we have had - it's been incredible, from friends and family to people we don’t know reaching out to do what they can.

“If this treatment is approved, we will find a way to get him there but anything anyone can do to help us would make a huge difference.”

• Donations can be made via justgiving.com

• Anybody who would like to arrange a fundraising event can email teamlukebell@outlook.com