AN auction has helped to raise more than £2,000 to assist a little boy undergo cancer treatment in the US, writes Amy Dennis.

The auction, which was held at the Kings Head, Five Lanes, on January 28 to raise funds for 11-month-old Riley Dean Clay, included a print of a painting of Grand National winning horse Many Clouds, donated by national hunt racing trainer

Oliver Sherwood.

Many Clouds sadly died on the day of the auction at Cheltenham, due to a severe pulmonary haemorrhage, according to British Horseracing Authority officials. The print made £120 at the auction.

In total, including donations, £2,147.50 was raised at the auction, overseen by Kivells auctioneer Patrick Dennis.

The funds raised will help Riley and his family. Riley is one of triplets and has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as ‘Cancer Extra Renal Rhabdoid’.

It is one of the more difficult cancers to treat, due to its location, and further scans will establish a full prognosis for Riley soon.

Treatment for a malignant rhaboid tumour may involve a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Unfortunately due to the rare and aggressive nature of the tumour there is no defined standard of care and treatment options will have to be tailored to suit Riley’s needs.

It was recently discovered that further treatment in America will be needed to treat Riley as it is not available in the UK — this has set the bar for fundraising quite high, with the family hoping to raise around £50,000.

While there are travel costs involved, accommodation for Riley’s parents and brothers and sisters, Bethany, Oscar and Toby, will have to be sourced, adding to costs.

Jeannette Weaver, of Five Lanes, who organised the charity auction, got to know Riley’s family and said Riley’s story ‘struck a chord’ with her.

She will now be delivering letters of thanks to local businesses who supported the auction.