IT HAS been a whirlwind three weeks for the West family, who received the news no family wants to hear.

On October 15, six-year-old Alfie West complained to his mum Lynn that his head hurt, thinking nothing of it, she gave him some Calpol and sent him on his way.

Fast forward to the weekend and the Bishopswood Infant school pupil was being sick as the mother-of-five said he was “screaming and crying” he was in so much discomfort.

After travelling to Basingstoke hospital to have an MRI, he was quickly sent to Southampton General hospital for another scan where he was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) – a type of brain tumour.

Lynn told the Gazette: “The whole thing was a bit of a whirlwind three weeks to be honest.

“Going from thinking it was just a simple headache to this.”

The 47-year-old added: “In hindsight when Alfie told me initially, I thought he said headache, so you are a bit dismissive of it, but looking back he said head hurt, and things just escalated really quickly.”

With the family still awaiting further results to determine exactly the course of treatment for Alfie, Lynn has already quick to praise the work of the staff down at Southampton General.

As such the family are looking to raise as much as possible to support the hospital, where the six-year-old will be having more of his treatment, whether that is chemotherapy or otherwise.

This fundraising effort was bolstered by an even organised by Tadley Swimming Pool, where Alfie learns to swim.

“I was a bit overwhelmed if I am honest,” added the Southdown Road resident.

“They organised everything and it was amazing, they had a static bike where staff members would see how far they could cycle in a mile, as well as donation cake sales, it was amazing.”

The family have set up a justgiving page to support the staff at the hospital.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/delana-west.