JUST a few months ago little Joe Davison was like any other energetic 11-year-old who loved computer games and football.

But the family of Hall Road, Kinson, was left reeling after a routine eye test at the opticians at Asda Castlepoint led to Joe being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

After being sent for an MRI scan Joe was diagnosed with optic nerve glioma and is now three months into chemotherapy treatment which has led to him losing most of his hair.

The brave youngster who was diagnosed just a few months after starting at King's High attends school whenever he can and also has a home tutor.

The diagnosis had a profound effect not only on the Davison family but also on the colleagues of dad Tim who works at Poole-based friendly society LV.

Tim's colleagues originally raised £160 to buy DVDs for Joe but were then inspired to organise a special fundraising day to raise cash for the Piam Brown children's cancer ward at Southampton which treats Joe.

Joe's condition has been "the catalyst" for the entire LV building to get involved with fundraising, said Tim.

Tim said: "It was completely out of the blue. There were no signs at all. He went for the eye test in August and was diagnosed in November. He started chemotherapy before Christmas. It's still ongoing and he has to have 18 months of it in total."

The youngster has chemotherapy every week for ten weeks and then has a break of between three and four weeks. He attends Poole Hospital and the Piam Brown ward at Southampton Hospital.

Joe describes having chemotherapy as "quite hard" and says it "sometimes makes me feel sick". And it took a while before the other pupils at school got used to having a classmate with cancer, he adds.

He said: "At first they were a bit shocked about it and a bit sad but now they have started to think I'm still me and that's really good."

The treatment leaves Joe, who supports Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth, feeling constantly exhausted and he has had to give up playing football.

The animal-mad youngster whose pets include budgies Ringo and Cloudy, dogs Dipsy and Fletcher named after former Cherries centre forward Steve Fletcher, and bunny BB, is determined to work with animals when he is older.

After his chemotherapy is finished big-hearted Joe plans to do some fundraising of his own to help other children with cancer.

Tim said: "When you first go to these places it's a shock. But very soon you see all they are is kids with no hair. There is a really lovely atmosphere there.

"Everything you hear about these people is true about the good work they do and how great they are."

The family was very touched by the actions of his LV colleagues, adds Tim.

"Joe is the catalyst of it but it's not for him. We think it's just amazing what they are doing and nobody has asked them for anything."

The Wessex Cancer Trust has raised more than £11 million for projects including the refurbishment of facilities at the Piam Brown children's cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital as well as mobile mammography vehicles, medical equipment and the training of nurses.

People can find out more about donating money to the Wessex Cancer Trust by ringing 023 8067 2200, email wct@wessexcancer.org or visit wessexcancer.org.