Valley rallies to help boy

Caleb Darling, of Roxburgh, makes a "TV" Teviot Valley sign in Christchurch Hospital after he was...
Caleb Darling, of Roxburgh, makes a "TV" Teviot Valley sign in Christchurch Hospital after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Photo supplied.

The tight-knit Teviot Valley is once again supporting its own by rallying behind a 9-year-old boy's cancer recovery.

Caleb Darling and his family are staying at Christchurch's Ronald McDonald House after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last week.

In that time, the valley has hastened to help the Roxburgh Area School pupil.

Carly Bennetts, of Roxburgh, is holding a night meeting on Thursday week (July 28) with community groups to organise a charity auction for late August.

"People keep calling up and donating things. It's just snowballed. It's the best thing about this wee town - you just pitch in.''

Local Shirl Marsden started $100 raffles which can be entered from Roxburgh stores.

She said she knew the family and Caleb was a "beautiful and kind young boy''.

"We've done four of these in the last few years for different kids. The community is great at getting behind them.''

The Millers Flat Tavern is also holding its own $100 raffle and will have a series of quick-fire raffles and donation jar while showing a Highlanders game this weekend.

Co-owner Lucy McConway said the residents of the Teviot Valley were "absolutely wonderful'' when it came to backing local causes.

"We like to look after our own. I think it's because we're quite isolated.''

As of 6pm yesterday, a Givealittle page set up by a friend of the family reached $6184.

Caleb's father, Craig Darling, said the support from the community was "just unreal''.

"It's just small town spirit isn't it? It has not even been a week since we found out, and just the amount of support and what everyone has been doing is unbelievable. It just goes to show, you do stuff for the community and it gives back.''

On Wednesday, Caleb's parents took him to the local doctor with bruising and were told to go to Dunedin Hospital, which they did that night.

The next day, Mr Darling, Caleb's mother Genna Allan, and their two other children, all flew to Christchurch for his treatment.

The fundraising gave the family the freedom to stay in Christchurch with Caleb, Mr Darling said.

"We have an 8-month-old baby and a 13-year-old son as well. It's pretty tough. I couldn't leave my partner here with a boy going through chemo and a baby.''

Caleb was a "very active kid'', he said.

"He plays a lot of sports. He's a top rugby and cricket player and he does taekwondo as well.''

The leukaemia Caleb had was a more common type which had a relatively high cure rate, Mr Darling said.

"He's doing really well. He doesn't feel sick sick. It's all probably a bit confusing for him. He started chemotherapy yesterday.''

Caleb would be in Christchurch for at least six to seven weeks, he said.

"If it all goes well his treatment can be then done from Dunedin.''

Chemotherapy would last at least nine months, he said.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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