A SOLDIER from Hatfield is hoping to raise thousands of pounds to help save the life of a young boy battling against cancer.

Mark Bembrick, of Brickfield, is urging the public to donate cash for little Jamie Inglis – the son of a fellow soldier serving with the British Army in Germany.

The four-year-old boy, who lives in Dusseldorf, was diagnosed with an abdominal tumour in April.

After extensive tests he was found to have neuroblastoma stage four – a cancer of nerve cells.

Mr Bembrick, who has served with the Royal Military Police for 18 years and is currently serving in Germany, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times a quarter of a million pounds was needed for lifesaving treatment in the USA.

The 36-year-old said: “I’m trying to help raise a staggering �250,000 in order to save the life of the brave little boy.

“His prognosis is pretty dire.

“The cancer had infiltrated his bone marrow and has spread to both legs. It’s heartbreaking.”

The father-of-three added: “The chance of a cure is very small and a recent antibody trial in the USA has been very successful as it targets the minimal residual disease (MRD) and improves the chances of survival by 20 per cent.

“This treatment may well become a standard in the future, however, Jamie doesn’t have the time as he will require this treatment within 90 days of completing his high dose, which he is due to complete by February 2010.”

In total Mr Bembrick, Jamie’s parents John and Vicky and friends have raised just over �18,000.

Dad John said: “His prognosis was given to be 20 to 30 per cent survival so we were devastated.

“The tumour was so big that it started to affect his breathing and he could not eat or drink or hardly move in his bed.”

Mr Bembrick added: “We need to make people aware and need lots of donations.

“It’s the difference between life and death.”

“It’s very sad and must be awful for his family.”

If you would like to donate visit the attached link for Mr Bembrick’s just giving page