A fundraising appeal has been launched to give a Suffolk boy who has spent months undergoing gruelling treatment in hospital the holiday of his dreams.

Brave Oliver Turner, from Bury St Edmunds, was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumour, a type of kidney cancer, at the age of four.

His mother, Sam, took him to the doctor “just to be on the safe side” after she noticed a small lump on his stomach, but the family was soon referred to a children’s ward to meet an oncologist.

“With hindsight, I keep thinking I should have known, but Oliver seemed fine and I was used to my boisterous little four-year-old picking up lumps and bumps,” Sam said.

The family’s worst fears were realised after Oliver was put through a set of tests, including an x-ray, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI.

The youngster was found to have aggressive cancer in both kidneys and a few spots in his lungs. He would need surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Throughout the ordeal, Sam said she had drawn strength from Oliver’s upbeat spirit and mischievous humour.

Oliver, now six, finished his treatment earlier this year and is recovering well.

The family has applied to Dreams Come True for a villa holiday near the Siam Water Park in Tenerife so they can spent some quality time with their little soldier.

Oliver loves swimming, which is something he couldn’t do during his treatment, and has talked about Siam’s lazy river and shark tank ever since he saw it on the TV.

Richard Ashton, Dreams Come True’s chief executive, said: “This is an awful thing to have happened to a family and such a young child. With Oliver’s love of swimming – and not being able to go during his treatment – we really want to make this family’s dream come true.”

Dreams Come True is a national charity that aims to provide special memories for children with serious and life-limiting conditions and their families.

Oliver, who goes to Westgate Primary School, in Bury St Edmunds, led Ipswich Town Football Club out for their Boxing Day game against Fulham last year.

People can donate to Oliver’s cause on the charity’s website.