A BRAVE Skipton boy is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia in December.

Four-year-old William Bramley, a pupil at Christchurch Primary School in Skipton, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) just before Christmas.

"It's all been a whirlwind since William was diagnosed on December 13," said William's mum, Joanne Bramley. "He started treatment right away and he is initially responding well."

He will have intensive chemotherapy treatment for six months, and once finished he will receive ongoing treatment over the next three-and-a-half years.

Although the long-term prognosis is good, William and his family are "taking each day as it comes" in coming to terms with the diagnosis.

"It's been a bit traumatic for William," said Joanne. "He's had a lot of injections, and every time he's sees a nurse or a doctor he cries.

"Once he gets home he's happy, but he's certainly not the same and he gets tired easily."

In fact, tiredness was a symptom that led to William's diagnosis.

Joanne said William is normally a "very cheeky and funny boy who is full of beans and loves to play," but in December she said "he was not himself".

"He had had a bit of a cold, and was not very energetic," she said. "He fell asleep in class and looked very pale."

After being taken to A&E, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and was sent to Leeds General Infirmary's oncology ward for immediate treatment.

William was on the ward for two weeks over the Christmas period, and his dad Chris was given a room so there so he could stay and support William.

Joanne said that it has been difficult for the family to deal with William's diagnosis.

She said William's sister Millie, 17, has been finding it hard as she is also taking her A Levels at Skipton Girls Grammar School.

"It's been very upsetting for all of us, but we're taking each day as it comes," said Joanne. "We've got to be strong for William."

Family friend Chris Jones, of Embsay, will run in the Greater Manchester Marathon on April 8 to raise money for the Candlelighters Trust, a charity which provides practical and emotional support for children fighting cancer in Yorkshire.

Joanne said the charity has been brilliant in its support of William and the family.

She said: "Throughout the trauma of diagnosis and treatment we have received such fantastic help and support from the Candlelighters team which has helped us as a family enormously and for which we are eternally grateful."

Joanne added that she is pleased Chris is raising money on behalf of William.

She said: "Chris is not a runner, but he's taken on this challenge because William has leukaemia."

So far £1,285 has been raised for Candlelighters, and anyone who like to make a donation can visit justgiving.com/Joanne-Bramley2?utm_id=121