A Cupar schoolboy made a heroic return to school this week as he continues his battle against leukaemia.
Toby Etheridge was back at St Columba’s Primary School for the first time in 153 days.
The 10-year-old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just before last Christmas and has been battling the condition ever since.
Despite this major milestone in his fight, the youngster’s struggle is still far from over.
His mother Alison, who has given up work to care for her son, said: “He has now finished his intense chemotherapy but he has to have oral chemo until April 2018 and a daily cocktail of powerful drugs, as well as regular hospital visits.
“He’s very tired after school but very excited and the head teacher, Jo Boggan, and her staff have been absolutely amazing and so supportive.
“He’s also enjoying taking part in choir practice again and his classmates in P6 have been great.
“We’ve a long road ahead of us but despite all he has been through, Toby never complains and just gets on with it.”
Following his diagnosis last winter, a Facebook group “Toby’s Magical Journey” was established in which he and his family document his progress.
The posts regularly include details of Toby’s stays in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, where he has been receiving treatment.
It is through his Facebook group that the family have also been updating followers on Toby’s progress since returning to school this week.
Though attending for just two hours a day currently, there are hopes that this could increase to four mornings a week by October with a view to returning full-time by Christmas.
The youngster has also been supported by CLIC Sargent, with the Etheridge family having undertaken fundraising for the children’s cancer charity.
The family, his mother Alison, father Richie, sister Jessica, 15, and brother Samuel, 17, have regularly used the CLIC Villa, located opposite the Sick Kids Hospital, to stay while Toby undergoes his treatment.