The family of a three-year-old girl who is fighting a rare form of cancer have issued a cry for help in a bid to get backing for their life-saving fundraising campaign.

Summer Allen has been diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of cancer – neuroblastoma – and is five months into her treatment at Leeds General Infirmary.

About 80 per cent of children with high risk neuroblastoma relapse soon after treatment ends. If that was to happen her parents Sarah and Dave Allen, of Brighouse, would have to face the heartbreaking fact there is nothing more doctors in the UK would be able to do for her.

However, they have learned of other treatments available around the world that would not only give Summer improved chances of beating her cancer first time around, but should she relapse, will give her another chance at survival.

They are now working with the charity Families Against Neuroblastoma (FAN) to build a fund of £500,000 for Summer so they would be able to access any treatment for Summer should she face a relapse.

The Allens, who are also parents to Summer’s twin sister Paige, said: “We hope Summer will be in the 20 per cent of children not to relapse, however, if this does happen we hope to have the funds already available.”

Summer began to feel ill, complaining of pain in her leg and hip in November 2011. She began a series of hospital tests and it was when she was transferred to LGI doctors broke the devastating news she had neuroblastoma and gave her a very poor prognosis.

However, in the five months of her treatment she has been charming the team at LGI.

Her parents said: “We have to do this for her. Please donate what you can, tell everyone you know and help us give our sweet little girl the lifeline she needs.”

To support Summer visit her website: bmycharity.com/summerallenappeal or visit the Facebook page The Summer Allen page.