'I want to do something to make Arlo better'

A young boy who organised a fundraising challenge to support his classmate, who is undergoing treatment for a rare cancer-like illness, says he did it "because I wanted to help my friend".

Arlo, seven, has Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a condition which involves histiocytes, a type of white blood cell, growing excessively.

His friend Max organised the fundraising bike ride between Herne Bay and Whitstable in Kent for Histiocytosis UK with the help of mum Carla, who said the pair were "more like brothers".

"Max came home from school after Arlo had started this round of chemo and asked about doing a fundraiser...he said, 'I want to do something to make Arlo better'."

Responding to her son's desire to help Arlo, Carla set up a fundraising page, which had received more than £3,600 by the time Max completed the 40-minute challenge.

Arlo's mother Becky said: "Only 50 children in the UK are diagnosed every year [with LCH], so that money will go to vital research."

She added: "It's more about friendship than anything else, like all the children in their class coming together and just spreading smiles to Arlo, and he's been through such a hard time. It's just been so special."

Arlo said he was "so proud" of his friend Max.

Carla added: "They are two mates who are going through something really difficult, that are just sticking by each other."

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