Cancer travel costs help 'makes a big difference'

The family of a three-year-old boy with cancer, who have had to regularly travel 170 miles for his treatment, have welcomed a government move to cover transport costs.

Jonah, from Camborne, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, cancer of the nerve tissue, in February 2025 and he has spent much of the past year receiving specialist treatment in Bristol.

On Tuesday, the government announced a £10m financial support package for families of children and young people with cancer to pay travel costs to and from appointments.

Greg Rowe, Jonah's father, who was unable to work for a number of months while he stayed with his son, said the support "will make a big, big difference".

Jonah has had intensive chemotherapy and surgery in Bristol and he is currently undergoing a course of immunotherapy, which is expected to continue until April.

Greg said "the first couple of rounds really hit him" but Jonah is "doing really, really well".

Jonah's parents were unable to work while they stayed with him, which affected their finances and they relied on a crowdfunding page set up to help cover costs such as living expenses and bills.

The family have stayed at Sam's House, which is free accommodation for the families of children with cancer run by Young Lives vs Cancer, during much of Jonah's treatment.

The charity has lobbied the government for financial support for families.

Greg said: "For us, I know we are nearing the end of our treatment plan but there's going to be plenty more people that are going to need this funding.

"Certainly, it's going to be a massive help because we are in Cornwall.

"I'm sure there's going to be more people from Cornwall that are having to travel to Bristol. It is a long way, it does hit your finances."

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