Family of South Shields' Robbie Elliott thank town for support as fundraiser hits £5,000

Robbie Elliott from the Nook area of the town, died surrounded by his loved ones at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle on Friday, May 21, following a short battle with cancer.

The brave little boy had been receiving treatment, but the family were later informed that Robbie had widespread undifferentiated mesenchymal cancer and there was nothing they could do.

Paying tribute to her courageous son, mum Kayleigh Johnston, 28, and step-dad Corey Wilson, 30, called Robbie ‘the most perfect little boy with a heart of gold.’

In an effort to support the family and cover funeral costs, Robbie's godparents, Stephen and Vikki Williams, have set up a fundraiser, which has now raised £5,020 of its £5,000 goal.

Stephen, 37, said: “We are absolutely blown away by the support – from the Go Fund Me to the bonus balls that people have done.

"I'm glad we can take away the stresses of life and let Kayleigh grieve in peace.

"It is still very raw for her, but this is making it feel like Robbie is looking after his mam.

"We are eternally grateful to everyone and we thank every single person so much.”

The Mortimer Infants pupil first underwent an MRI scan at Sunderland Royal Hospital just a week before he died after doctors raised concerns that a lump on his leg could be a possible bone infection called Osteomyelitis.

But the scan showed that Robbie had cysts in both of his kidneys and he was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Robbie underwent another scan and, on Monday, May 17, doctors told mum, Kayleigh, and step-dad, Corey Wilson, 30, the devastating news that their little boy had tumours on his stomach and kidneys, which appeared to be cancerous.

As Robbie’s condition began to deteriorate, he had a further scan a day later, which showed he had two tumours in his heart.

Robbie was transferred to the Freeman Hospital, where a CT scan showed he had three further tumours on his brain and one behind his nose, and doctors initially believed it was a cancer called clear cell sarcoma

However, doctors confirmed on the Thursday that Robbie had widespread undifferentiated mesenchymal cancer and he died just a day later.

Robbie was close to little brother, Alfie Elliott, two, and big sister, Ava Elliott, six, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at school.

He also leaves behind his dad, Dean Elliott, and his three grandmothers, Sue, Geraldine and Lisa, as well as his granddad, Paul.

Mum Kayleigh said: “He was the most perfect little boy who had a heart of gold inside and out.

"He would light up a room. He loved music and would have everybody up dancing and laughing.

"He was such a lovely little boy.”

To donate visit: https://gofund.me/a45a2a31

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.