A 10-YEAR-OLD boy with an inoperable brain tumour has been given months to live – after he was sent home from a Bury GP with cream for a “virus”.

Limefield youngster Stewart Sheridan is having chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an attempt to shrink the inoperable tumour, which is in the centre of his brain.

His father, Michael Sheridan, claims a GP at Ribblesdale Medical Practice diagnosed Stewart with a virus, and gave him cream to treat it, despite him suffering hallucinations and persistent nose bleeds.

Mr Sheridan, of Arley Avenue, said Stewart began suffering nose bleeds four months ago and when he first visited the GP practice in November was told he had “excess blood”.

On February 2, Mr Sheridan took him back to the same GP after because his son was suffering from sickness and diarrhoea and was hallucinating and behaving strangely.

This time Stewart was prescribed cream for a virus – but three days later when he complained of a headache and wobbly legs Mr Sheridan took him to Fairfield General.

The youngster was given a CT scan, which revealed a tumour on his brain.

Stewart was then taken to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he remains, and is currently having chemotherapy and radiotherapy at The Christie.

Mr Sheridan, who has been keeping a daily vigil at his son’s bedside, said: “It could have been picked up earlier, but I will never know the answer to that. It is just so hard, it is like staring death in the face.

“We have not explained to him what the doctors have told us. It is not something I have ever thought about doing – telling a ten-year-old lad that doctors say you only have months to live. It would break my heart telling him that.”

Stewart is currently heavily sedated, and due to his tumour has lost the ability to talk.

Michael’s friends Emma Knight, Katrina Geddis and her husband Lee Geddis have set up an online donations page which has already raised hundreds to help Stewart’s family.

Top of their list is collecting £2,000 needed to fix Michael’s car, which is currently off the road due to engine problems, so he can visit his son in hospital more easily.

Walshaw under-sevens FC have donated £350, Lee is collecting at Garic, his employer, and a family fun day is to be held on March 21 at the Towler Inn on Walmersley Road.

B&G MOT Garage in Radcliffe has also offered Michael a free courtesy car. Mrs Geddis, of Greywood Avenue, said: “Everyone is heartbroken.

“We want to raise the money to look after Michael in any way we can, so he can concentrate on looking after Stewart.

“We have all done this out of love for this little boy, because we care.”

Mr Sheridan added: “There are a lot of people who have come forward with the support, and I am very overwhelmed by it. I am gobsmacked.”

To make a donation: go to gofundme.com/mx1nkg or email katrinageddis23@gmail.com