Diagnosed at the beginning of August with a malignant brain tumour, the six-year-old has since undergone surgery to remove a growth the size of his fist. 

The 40 stitches etched across his forehead are evidence of this ordeal, but through it all his trademark cheeky grin has barely wavered.

As Lachlan prepares to start two months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, friends and family are rallying around his parents Leanne and Nathan.

The hope is to not only support the family but to raise awareness of childhood brain cancer, a condition which is in desperate need of research dollars. 

Leanne, who works as a radiographer at SMI, said she and Nathan became worried after their bright and talkative son began to suffer headaches and vomiting.

Tests showed a glioblastoma multiforme tumour and Lachlan went straight into surgery at Randwick Children’s Hospital.

Following a five hour operation, Leanne said she was relieved to hear Lachlan being his vocal and noisy self as he came out of the anaesthetic. 

“He had lots of bruising and swelling, but it was a relief finally to see him awake and talking away,” she said.

“It’s been important for us to explain to him what’s going on, and he’s been amazing the way he’s handled everything, although he has been missing his school friends.”

In fact, he’s been back to St Michael’s School since his operation to give a talk to his classmates about his experiences.

While Lachlan is being supported by his school mates, Leanne’s own childhood friends from her days at St Michael’s, Kelly Nilsen (nee Laverty) and Toni Hodges (nee Marshall), are leading the charge to co-ordinate support for the family.

Kelly is organising a “Running for Lachlan” team in the Sydney Running Festival to be held on September 21.

Joining Kelly will be Lachlan’s class teacher, Amanda Lloyd, with runners dressing up as some of Lachlan’s favourite characters from The Lego Movie.

Kelly is looking for people to sponsor the runners as they raise funds to help Leanne and Nathan, who works at Manildra, with out-of-pocket expenses throughout Lachlan’s treatment.

Find out how you can support the run here:  

There is also a Facebook page called “Loving Lachlan” where you can receive updates about Lachlan’s progress and find  links to information on childhood brain cancer. Read more here

Toni has also set up a fund-raising page for the family and you can help here