Classmates of Tavis Gray, who has a rare form of bone cancer, walked the distance from Pewsey to Florida to raise money so his family can visit him when he undergoes pioneering treatment in America.

The year six pupil at Pewsey Primary School is undergoing treatment for Ewings Sarcoma, which affects less than 30 children in the UK each year.

The next stage in his treatment requires him to travel to America for proton radiotherapy, which he will undergo for ten weeks.

Pupils and staff at Pewsey Primary School decided to organise a day of fundraising to help pay for the youngster’s older brother and sister to visit him while he is receiving treatment. Headteacher Nicola Gilbert said: “We wanted to do something special as a school because Tavis has been at the school for seven years.

“It’s lovely that we’ve been able to do something together to help because Tavis is such a big part of the school community.”

On Monday Tavis and his school friends were joined by children from Puddleducks Pre-School, where his mum, Sharon, works, and students from Pewsey Vale School to take part in a sponsored walk around the school field.

Each lap was a mile long and on average each child completed three laps. They all wore hats and in total they walked 4,326 miles – the distance from Pewsey to Florida. They also held cake sales on Monday and Tuesday to boost funds.

Mrs Gilbert said: “All the children really enjoyed taking part in the sponsored walk.

“They were really excited, we had a lovely afternoon and it was really nice to be able to do something with Puddleducks Pre-School and Pewsey Vale collectively to support the family.

“Everybody wore hats because Tavis loves hats, he has done since he was in reception. There was every type of hat you could think of.”