A little boy fighting cancer for a second time has been flown out to America for treatment that could save his life.

Hartley lad Jack Howard, who is battling kidney cancer at the age of just 12, is having his first consultation meeting in Los Angeles later today, at a cost of around £1,000.

His family jetted off from Heathrow yesterday afternoon and were treated to free upgrades to first class, having already received VIP treatment at the London airport.

Last week doctors were unsure if he had days or weeks to live after he took a dangerous turn on Thursday, but the family are hopeful that the pioneering treatment on America’s west coast will see him pull through.

In a post on the Crowdfunder page set up for Jack, his aunt, Keely Howard, said on Sunday: “Again a huge thank you to everyone who has pledged and shown so much kindness!

“We now have enough for the deposit required by the hospital in America and the family are flying out tomorrow! A very emotional time, however we need to continue raising money as the treatment hasn’t even started yet!

“Many many thanks again! Keely Howard x.”

The Gravesend Grammar School student, who went to Our Lady of Hartley Primary School, underwent gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2013, and also had his kidney removed.

He went into remission in February 2014 but the cancer returned last December.

More than £108,000 was raised to get him Stateside, with thousands of well-wishers contributing to the mammoth total. That included £5,000 from Jack’s beloved West Ham United, and the same amount from the club’s co-chairman David Sullivan.

There is also set to be an effort to raise awareness for Jack before the Hammers' Premier League clash with Southampton at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Bluebird Care, which is based in north west Kent, also pledged £1,500, and the money is still pouring in. Meopham Fitness and Tennis Centre will be raising cash for Jack during an open day this Saturday.

Paula Hickford, the duty manager, said as soon as she heard Jack and his brother used to go to the karate classes at the centre, she knew she had to help raise money for his treatment.

Within days of hearing of Jack’s condition, they set up a collection box and now they have decided to use their open day to raise money to help him fight kidney cancer.

Jack's Story

Family pins hopes on pioneering treatment in America

Thousands raised to help save Jack's life

She said: “He is very dear to us, like anybody who passes through the centre.”

The open day is free and designed to encourage people to get into sport. It will run from 9am to 5pm and will allow people to try out different activities such as ‘box fit’ and ‘body pump’.

A charity DJ spin class will also raise money for the Murray Parish Trust which supports A&E centres.

Meopham Fitness and Tennis centre in Wrotham Road, Gravesend runs fundraisers twice a year and on average they raise £300. This time they hope to donate more to the cause as the scale of the event is so much larger than previous years.

You can still donate to Jack’s Crowdfunder page at crowdfunder.co.uk/jack-howard.