KIND-HEARTED supporters have rallied round to raise thousands of pounds to help a Vale teenager fighting an extremely rare form of throat cancer.

Arin Kirilmaz, 14, from Renton, needs life-saving treatment abroad after he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma last month.

Arin’s bravery has inspired hundreds of people to contribute to the cost of travelling to America or Germany for pioneering treatment, lasting between eight and 12 weeks, which will vastly improve his chances of survival.

Arin, a Vale of Leven Academy pupil, is undergoing gruelling chemotherapy 24 hours a day for six days, followed by a two week break, to try to beat the illness.

However, doctors told Arin’s parents straight away that he would benefit from a type of radiation that is not available in the UK - proton beam therapy.

His mum Eileen, 51, has been impressed by Arin’s courage and determination to face the illness head on and she says his positive attitude has pulled the family together and encouraged the community into action.

Eileen, from Tontine Park, said: “We can’t pick which country Arin receives the treatment, it’s just whoever can take him as close to the date that he needs it done.

“Arin is being fed with a tube into his stomach for the next seven months because food would hurt the back of his throat.

“And his immune system is rock bottom so he’s not been attending school to avoid any chance of infection, but he hasn’t been feeling well enough anyway.”

Eileen and Arin’s dad Hakki, who is originally from Turkey, want to travel with their son when he gets his treatment abroad.

A family friend, Jade Anderson, 32, set up an online fund-raising page, ‘Arin’s Army’ with a target of £10,000.

The page has raised £8,008 so far and Eileen says she’s been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/arin-kirkilmaz.