An incredible £187,000 has been raised to help a young boy in his bid to beat cancer for the second time.

Friends, family and well-wishers of Jack Howard, 12, have been raising money through a variety of events and collections, and this week the fund edged closer to the £250,000 target.

Hartley lad Jack is still in Los Angeles with his family, receiving potentially life-saving treatment for kidney cancer, but appointments and accommodation are placing serious strain on their finances.

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They paid £1,000 for the first consultation meeting alone and efforts have been stepped up back home this week to make sure he is given the best chance to keep fighting.

Last Friday, some of Jack’s fellow Gravesend Grammar School students joined forces with girls from Mayfield Grammar School to cycle 13 laps of the Cyclopark, just off the A2 at Gravesend.

The effort was spearheaded by Alex Neat, also 12, and more than £1,000 was raised. Darren Watson donated £200 after he read about Jack’s battle and Alex’s cycle ride on KentOnline.

Another £2,180 was raised by old classmates of Jack’s parents, Nick and Zoe, who reunited for a 1980s disco at the Ship and Lobster in Mark Lane, Gravesend.

Complemented by a raffle with a host of prizes, organiser Donna Thomas had set a target of £1,000 and was chuffed to see the final total more than double.

“The night was a reunion of school friends not seen in 25 years who decided to come together and support Jack,” she said.

VIDEO: Jack thanks friends, family and fundraisers for their support

“DJ Bobby Dazzler played retro tunes from the 80s for a solid eight hours and the auction consisted of a golf day, a day at Charlton, a tattoo voucher, and an original painting by local artist Glenn Fitzpatrick, which raised over £100.

“Even a homemade cherry pie on its own raised a further £50.”

Jinnie Thomas, seven, made loom bands on the night to help the cause and raised £100.

The event was such a success that a race night is now being organised at the same pub for Saturday, October 15, from 7pm, and entry is free.

Last week KentOnline reported how West Ham and Southampton fans had shown their generosity by donating to Jack’s cause at their recent Premier League clash at the London Stadium.

Family and friends under the banner of Jack’s Angels made the trip to the Hammers’ new home for the match on September 25, carrying buckets around the ground and getting a picture of Jack beamed onto the big screen.

The final total raised was £7,300. Among those campaigning was Helen Gawor, who thanked both sets of supporters for the “overwhelmingly warm response”.

This weekend local dads will be lacing up their football boots for a charity tournament in Jack’s home village of Hartley. Kick-off is at 1.30pm on Saturday at Manor Field in Church Road. See next week’s Gravesend and Dartford Messengers for pictures.