CLASSMATES of a seriously ill Stourbridge youngster are rallying round in a battle to raise £55,000 to help his mum buy him time to fight his rare brain cancer.

Children at Lutley Primary School in Halesowen have organised a hair cut, marathon bike ride, raffle, and now a giant sponsored ‘pass the parcel’ around the area to raise funds for Riley Gregerson.

His mum Gemma has set up a GoFundMe page aimed at raising enough to take him to a German clinic for specialist treatment to fight his illness.

His cancer is not currently curable but Gemma, from Amblecote, believes that the clinic can give him time while encouraging research is being carried out on finding a cure.

Parents of children in Riley’s class have come together with teachers to ‘do anything we can’ to support.

So far Gemma’s fundraising page has topped £17,000 while a 60-mile bike ride by former footballer Lee Hughes has raised more than £6,000 and money is coming in from various other efforts.

Eight-year-old classmate Autumn O’Hara had 12 inches cut off her hair and raised £1,200, while another school friend, Oliver Howard, did a whopping 50km bike ride on the Halesowen Cycling Club track to raise £600.

This Sunday the children, each accompanied by a parent, will tow a gift for Riley around the area, going from house to house to hand it on to the next school friend, until they eventually reach Riley’s grandmother’s house to present him with it.

Meanwhile a host of top prizes have been donated for a raffle, including a holiday for six in Devon; a new Play Station 4; Selfridges vouchers and manty many offers from local restaurants and beauty spas.

Lee Hughes was helped on his bike ride from the West Bromwich Albion ground to the Notts County Stadium – two teams he played for – by friends Daniel Braogli and Gary Pye.

“We as parents are really keen to do anything we can,’ said Lee’s wife Emma, whose son Harley in Riley’s class. “It’s a vast amount to raise.

“We knew Riley was poorly in February but we were all shocked when we heard the news a few weeks ago.”

And Oliver’s mum, Kate Howard, said: “His classmates are all trying really hard to come up with fundraising ideas as they desperately want to help.”

A steering group of parents has been set up, and other local schools have also been fundraising as word spreads and an entire community rallies around.

To help search for Riley’s Fight on GoFundMe or email Raffleforriley@outlook.com