The parents of a terminally ill child have been overwhelmed at the response to their fundraising appeal to give them as much time as possible.

Six-year-old Edie Jackson from Waltham Abbey was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour just four weeks before Christmas and has been given just months to live.

The tumour is a high-grade (fast growing) Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), the deadliest form of childhood cancer with average survival of just eight to 12 months from diagnosis.

Craig and Lois Jackson, Edie’s parents, said that costly private treatment is the only hope to save their daughter and that this could be their last Christmas together.

Edie’s dad Craig, 39, said: “My wife Lois and I are utterly devastated and heartbroken. Having to contemplate losing our beautiful little girl is something we will never ever come to terms with and is something that makes us feel numb whenever we think about it for too long.”

Edie just finished radiotherapy, which has the best evidence for prolonging survival compared to surgery or chemotherapy, as it would leave the patient severely damaged.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Edie may only have months to live after being diagnised terminally ill with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) aggressive form of brain cancer

The family has been told there are no further treatment options available to them on the NHS and are facing the fight of their lives as they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Edie’s aunt and uncle, Emmie and Dan Adams, set up a GoFundMe page and a Facebook group called ‘Edie’s Fight’, which currently stands at more than £128,000.

Mr Jackson said that they have been left with no choice but to ask for financial help. Saying:

“The response and generosity we have received so far is overwhelming and we are so grateful. Our fantastic little community of Waltham Abbey and the surrounding area has really pulled together to show their support.

“We have an amazing calendar of events planned for the next six months, all in aid of our beautiful Edie”.

The charity Brain Tumour Research says the family is not alone in its agony and that a drastic increase in funding and access to clinical trials is needed.

Hugh Adams, head of stakeholder relations at Brain Tumour Research said: “Our hearts to out to Edie and her family whose world has been shattered by this cruellest of diagnoses.

“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“As a charity, we support the ambition for at least 15 per cent of brain tumour patients to be participating in clinical trials by 2025.”

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) reports that only 6.4 per cent of brain tumour patients are participating in clinical trials compared to 13.3 per cent for breast cancer and 61.4 per cent for leukaemia.

Mr Adams added: “The type of treatment that Craig and Lois are seeking for Edie is likely to be extremely costly and possibly located overseas.

“At a time when they are digesting the worst possible news you can receive as a parent, the fact that they are having to self-fund treatment, is unacceptable.

To make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ediesfight or https://www.braintumourresearch.org/donation/donate-now