The mother of a seven-year-old boy who needs life-saving treatment has thanked a London marathon runner for pounding the tarmac in 23C heat to fundraise for him.

North Norfolk News: Harry Addy pictured with his mum Melanie. Picture: ANTONY KELLYHarry Addy pictured with his mum Melanie. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Stacey Harper, 40, is now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest woman to run the marathon dressed as Elvis.

She hopes to have raised £2,000 for her nephew, Harry Addy, from Rivermead, Stalham, who has a spinal cord tumour and rare brain disease.

Harry's family need to raise £70,000 for specialist Proton therapy treatment overseas, as it's not available on the NHS.

His mother Melanie thanked her cousin for completing the race, and said: 'I think she's amazing. I would not be able to do it.'

North Norfolk News: From left, Stacey with her family, Poppy Powell, nine; Tilly Addy, seven; Stacey's cousin Melanie Addy; Teddy Powell, eight; Melanie's husband Jamie; Harry Addy, seven; and Daisy Rodwell, 10. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYFrom left, Stacey with her family, Poppy Powell, nine; Tilly Addy, seven; Stacey's cousin Melanie Addy; Teddy Powell, eight; Melanie's husband Jamie; Harry Addy, seven; and Daisy Rodwell, 10. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

She said Harry was now undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

'He'll still need proton treatment but we are trying to put it off for as long as possible,' she added.

The youngster had an operation to remove the tumour a few years ago and now has leptomeningeal disease in the centre of his brain.

Doctors have suggested that Harry has radiotherapy treatment in the UK to stabilise the growth of the tumour.

But Melanie and husband Jamie feel he's too young for radiotherapy and want him to undergo the less invasive treatment in Essen, Germany.

Ms Harper, 40, of Old Catton, said: 'It is heartbreaking to see a child go through what Harry has.'

She said after the race: 'It was a lot hotter than I was expecting it to be but it was good and I got it done.

'The wig was probably the worst bit. I knew I couldn't take it off or I would lose the record. The more water I put on, the heavier the costume got.

'I got quite bad cramp at mile 16 so had to get some medical help but I recovered well after that.'

She said the support was 'absolutely amazing'.

'I have never done it in fancy dress before,' she said. 'I got people singing Elvis songs at me and lots of support.'

To donate for Harry visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/protons-for-harry