A nine-year-old is walking a trail to raise funds for the life-saving treatment of a three-year-old suffering from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Alfie Longford, from Burgess Hill, will walk more than eight kilometres along the Dyke Railway Trail to raise money to help Teddy Lichten’s family take him to the US for ground-breaking cancer treatment.

Teddy from Hassocks had just turned three and become big brother to Rupert when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children.

The Argus: Alfie Longford, nine, is walking the trail on SundayAlfie Longford, nine, is walking the trail on Sunday (Image: Katie Longford)

Neuroblastoma is very difficult to treat and returns in almost half of patients.

If this happens, fewer than one in ten survive.

His mother Kat said: “To hear the words that your child has cancer. Everything completely changes and everything you thought you knew about your life is shattered.”

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The treatment would be a vaccine which would help Teddy’s body fight off the cancer on its own.

This treatment could cost anywhere from £250,000 to £300,000, so Kat and Alistair are raising money to help them pay for it.

The Argus: From left Katie, Alfie, Sofia and AshleyFrom left Katie, Alfie, Sofia and Ashley (Image: Katie Longford)

Alfie’s mother Katie knew Teddy’s mother Kat as they had been colleagues in their first job.

Katie told The Argus: “Alfie was really moved by Teddy’s story. He has not even met him, but he wanted to do his bit to help.

“We have followed Teddy's story from diagnosis all the way through and Alfie and I regularly check in on how he is doing.

“Obviously it is a very large amount of money needed to take Teddy to America and Alfie said 'I wonder what we can do to do out bit to help out'."

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The Argus: The poster Alfie made to help raise moneyThe poster Alfie made to help raise money (Image: Katie Longford)

Three-year-old Teddy is “obsessed” with trains, and Alfie suggested their fundraiser was train-related.

So far, Alfie has raised more than £1,000, after setting his target at just a quarter of that.

“He is so chuffed to have raised so much money. Even £250 is a lot for a child so he is just amazed,” Katie said.

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Katie works in care and says it is in Alfie’s nature to help people.

He will take on the challenge tomorrow.

“He is really looking forward to it,” said Katie. “He is very sporty and loves being outdoors so does not have any worries about the physical aspect of the challenge.”

The Argus: Teddy was just three when he was diagnosed with neuroblastomaTeddy was just three when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (Image: Kat Lichten)

Teddy’s mother Kat said she has been “so moved” by Alfie’s campaign.

The three-year-old has been in and out of hospital since he was diagnosed last year, undergoing rounds of gruelling chemotherapy and stem cell treatment.

Kat said: “It has just been relentless. We just want Teddy to be able to come home for good.

“If everyone reading this did the same as Alfie, we would be well on our way to our target.”

  • To donate to their fundraiser, you can visit this website https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alfie-longford?utm_term=xgbzqdde4.
  • You can also donate by texting send “TEDDYL” followed by any whole amount up to £20 to 70085. This will cost your donation plus your standard network charge.