A DEVOTED dad from Odiham is marking the end of his son’s gruelling chemotherapy treatment by embarking on a mammoth fundraising effort.

Nine-year-old Robbie Keville was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013, only two years after he lost his mother, Kate, to cancer.

The youngster has since undergone months of punishing treatments at Basingstoke and Southampton hospitals.

February 11 marked the end of his final round of chemotherapy.

To celebrate the milestone, and the start of his road to recovery, a fundraising road rally, robbiesrally, was held for charity SPRINT – set up by Robbie’s dad Mark.

The 51-year-old set up the Southampton Paediatric Rehabilitation in Neuropsychology Team fund to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to fund a consultant neuropsychologist to be based at Southampton General Hospital, where children with acquired brain injuries (ABI) are referred to from across Hampshire.

Mark likened the role to that of project manager, who oversees the various contractors during the build of a house. He said: “They will be able to oversee the rehabilitation of children who have ABI.

“ABI is any damage to the brain that occurs after birth caused by a traumatic injury from an accident, a virus, a brain tumour or many other causes.

“It can also be caused by radiotherapy to the brain – children who have overcome brain tumours often experience a sudden and sharp decline in their abilities a year after the end of their treatment.

“When a child suffers ABI, they may find, once they have initially recovered, that they have lost the ability to fully participate in some aspects of life at home and at school.

“The child’s social and academic progress can be hindered and such problems as cognitive impairment, short-term memory loss and problems with physical coordination, can be devastating for them and their families.

“Emotional problems can follow and a formerly happy child can become withdrawn, depressed or worse.”

Mark kicked off his fundraising journey on Saturday, February 14, with a unique car race, in which he and his friend, Max Wildsmith, raced hatchback cars around a 3.3mile course in Alton.

They were sponsored for their efforts by family, friends and well-wishers, many of whom gathered at the event to cheer the drivers on.

Mark, who has two other children, Harry, 18, and Laura, 17, said: “This is all about looking to the future.

“Robbie has been through so much but he is always uncomplaining and I am so proud of him.”

The robbiesrally event, which also included an impromptu auction of four tickets to see Top Gear being filmed, raised more than £12,000.

The family are already planning further events including a marathon, robbiesrun, a cycle, robbiesride, and a cross country, robbiesroughmudder.

To make a donation visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/robbiesrally.