The father of a football-mad four-year-old with a type of cancer never seen before in the world is taking on the Great North Run to shed light on his condition.

Arthur Salters-Hoult from Wallsend, North Tyneside was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in March after lumps started appearing on his head and throat.

The Newcastle-fan’s rare form of blood cancer affects the white blood cells and has never been seen in history, making him the only person in the world to have ever had the condition.

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Dad Ricky Hoult, 31, owner of a delivery company, said: “As parents we were shocked and down about it all and asked about the chances of survival.

“At first they said it’s one of the best cancers to have if any. But after six weeks of testing and finding this rare genetic mutation in his cells, they said it’s going to be a lot harder to treat.

The Northern Echo: Arthur Salters-Hoult, 4, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia earlier this year.Arthur Salters-Hoult, 4, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia earlier this year. (Image: PA)

“They had to do further tests on his genetics and they found a mutation of leukaemia that’s never been seen in history before and he is first of a kind and the only person in the world to have ever had it or got it.”

Now Ricky, who watches NUFC games with Arthur from his hospital bed, is taking on the Great North Run and battling through a bad knee, saying the pain is nothing compared to his son’s.

“I have a bad knee but if Arthur can go through this pain, then doing the Great North Run is nothing compared to his pain,” he said.

Ricky hasn’t had much time to train, due to attending Arthur’s treatment sessions and work working, but is adamant about completing the feat.

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Arthur had not reacted very well to any of his previous treatments, which involved intensive chemotherapy, due to his mutations, with one drug shutting his body down and resulting in him having to spend time in intensive care.

The Northern Echo: Lumps began to appear on Arthur's head and throat last November.Lumps began to appear on Arthur's head and throat last November. (Image: PA)

He is currently using an antibody therapy drug, which he is reacting to “a lot better”.

“But we are not sure how effective or if this is working as of yet until further testing is done,” Mr Hoult added.

“This drug has only been used five times before at this stage in the UK, and that has all been on Down’s syndrome children.”

Ricky is running the Great North Run for Leukaemia UK which he says is “close” to his family’s hearts. Anyone wishing to donate can do so online.

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Arthur has received widespread support since his diagnosis with Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes dedicating a goal to him against Brighton back in May.

The Northern Echo: NUFC star Bruno Guimaraes with four-year-old Arthur Salters-Hoult.NUFC star Bruno Guimaraes with four-year-old Arthur Salters-Hoult. (Image: PA)

Guimaraes and the family have stayed in touch ever since, with the whole Newcastle United team also organising a group photo with the youngster, where he was given a top with the words: “You can beat this Arthur” on it.

“We are both Newcastle fans and Arthur loves the club and singing the songs. He has been watching all the matches from his hospital bed,” Mr Hoult said.