New brother for Oscar Saxelby-Lee

The eight-year-old won the nation’s heart in his battle against leukaemia after raising enough money for life-saving treatment in Singapore in 2020.

The Hand In Hand for Oscar Facebook group was set up to co-ordinate fundraising and share the latest updates. 

Mum Olivia and partner Jamie Lee have now shared the good news of a new addition to their family.

In the update the family said: "Jacob Ray Saxelby-Lee born 14/06/2023 at 3.55pm weighing 6lb4

"Our perfect little cub was born into our arms at home surrounded by an abundance of love and tenderness just a week ago. 

BABY: Oscar with his new baby brother Jacob (Image: Facebook)

"His birth was absolutely magical. 

"I still can’t get over how truly special his arrival has been. 

"I have so much thanks to share for the incredible midwives who helped make our home birth wishes come true.

"Charlotte, Julie and Lauren - We cannot thank you enough, you really are heroes

"We are all absolutely besotted with our Bear Cub - his Brother Bear especially."

The family have shared Jacob was born with an ear defect, and they are not sure what extent he can hear yet. 

The St John's-based family said: "It has also been a difficult time coming to terms with something we’ve found hard to comprehend.

"Not because it’s life threatening in any way or something we aren’t able to manage but because we really believed life had thrown enough at our family and there couldn’t quite possibly be anything else on the cards for us.

"However we look at life though, there will always be challenges. It just so happens to be our children that are affected and we find that soul destroying at times.

"We are ever so grateful he’s here with us and that he has chosen us to love him, care for him and treasure him.

"His own unique journey is going to be alongside his big bro who we could not be prouder of! There’s simply no one else a little brother could look up to more."

Oscar Saxelby-Lee's journey to becoming cancer free

Oscar, nicknamed Ozzy, was just four-years-old when he was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer in December 2018.

Full-time carer Olivia and painter and decorator Jamie launched an appeal for stem cell donors after doctors warned he had just three months to start treatment.

A record-breaking 4,855 volunteers queued in the rain after Oscar's Pitmaston Primary School opened as a testing centre in March 2019.

He underwent an operation but he faced a further blow when the cancer returned.

A crowdfunding drive then raised £600,000 to fly him to Singapore for pioneering treatment not available on the NHS.

Three months later he returned home before he was finally declared cancer free in October 2020.