FAMILY and friends are rallying round a toddler as he prepares to undergo four years of treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Two-year-old Toby Peters has been diagnosed with the blood disease little more than a year after having lifesaving surgery for a congenital heart defect.

Toby is set to go through four years of treatment to battle the disease and is receiving chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Southend Hospital and at home.

Now 350 friends and family are taking part in a sponsored run, organised by his godmother, Julie Craddick, to help raise money to make the youngster’s life more comfortable.

Describing the moment she found out her son’s condition, Toby’s mum Heather Peters, 38, of Brocksford Avenue, Rayleigh, said: “It was beyond shock – it’s not what we expected to hear and thought it would be something viral.

“It felt like our world was taken away.”

Mrs Peters, who has had to give up working as a teacher at Rayleigh primary school to care for her son with husband Warren, also 38, said Toby was ill for about three months before his diagnosis.

Due to his medical history, she initially thought it was related to his heart condition.

She said: “He was admitted to Southend Hospital in April with a chest infection and we just assumed it was to do with his congenital heart defect, which can make him quite poorly as well, but then he started being very tired and had bruises everywhere.

“They were in the usual places at first like his shins, but then on the top of his feet and chin, really awkward places, and he bruised even if I touched him.

“He would also get night sweats, so his bed would be soaked in the morning.

“I’m a teacher at Rayleigh Primary, but I can’t work because I have to look after him. The stress is affecting everyone.”

The sponsored run will be held on Sunday, September, 13 and go from Chalkwell beach huts to Southend Pier and back.

Toby’s godmother wants to hold the run to buy Toby a large television due to the amount of time he has to spend in bed.

Mrs Craddick, 50, said: “When he’s had his chemo, he quite likes to lie down and watch TV, but his treatment is going to be for four years, so that’s a lot of TV.”