The family of a Benfleet boy fighting cancer for the third time are fundraising to make his dream of a tour of Japan’s major cities a reality.

Aiden Waller, 15, is currently facing his third battle with cancer after scans earlier this year found he had developed tumours in his lungs.

Despite the devastating news, Aiden’s family say they are “trying to stay positive” and the teen’s attitude is to “live his life to the fullest while he can”.

For Aiden, this means fulfilling his “ultimate dream”, a trip to Japan to immerse himself in the rich culture of the country, enjoy the animation and art and to “see where Pokémon was created”. 

Aiden’s mum, Sarah, said: “Aiden loves animation, he wants to study it at college next year and he loves Pokémon and he said he wanted to go to where it was created.

Dream trip - Aiden Waller Dream trip - Aiden Waller (Image: Sarah Waller)
“He was being asked about what he wants to do and he said he wants to earn enough to travel.

“This would mean the world to him and he has done some research on it as well, he wants five days across Tokyo, Osaka, Nara City and Hiroshima.”

Sarah added that Aiden has met a group of people through Facebook, all artists, who have become a “new family” to the teen and are attempting to hold an auction to raise the money needed to get Aiden’s wish to come true.

In February 2022, Aiden was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive and rare form of bone cancer found in children - leading to the removed of his femur and his knee. He has since undergoing a replacement with a metal prosthetic.

Aiden is currently on a trial drug following the return of his cancer in March, which has not responded to five cycles of chemotherapy and covered his lungs in more than ten tumours each.

Sarah added: “We need a few more things sorted but really, Aiden has said he would look for when the cherry blossom festival starts in March and April time.”

To donate to Aiden’s fundraiser, gofundme.com/f/road-to-japan-for-cancer-tean