A Derbyshire teenager with inoperable cancer has been inundated with support from far and wide after his family set up a fundraising campaign to fulfil his dreams and fuel a search for special Pokémon cards.

Ripley resident Noah Toplis, 13, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in January and, after undergoing numerous procedures and treatments, learned earlier this month that doctors had exhausted all options.

Mum Caroline, who is head of environmental sustainability at Derbyshire County Council, said: “It was diagnosed as potentially osteosarcoma [a type of bone cancer] but in May we were told they’re no longer sure what is.

“Around Christmas time, Noah noticed the left side of his face was a bit swollen, and we went back and forth between urgent care and A&E for a possible salivary gland infection. When it didn’t get any better, they did at CT scan in Derby and found a tumour.

Ripley schoolboy Noah Toplis, 13, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. (Photo: Contributed)

placeholder image — Ripley schoolboy Noah Toplis, 13, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. (Photo: Contributed)

“Within 72 hours we were on the children’s cancer ward in Nottingham. It was life-changing overnight for our family, for work and for any kind of normality.

“It’s been absolutely horrific, he’s spent way more time in hospital than at home, doing intense chemotherapy that’s made him unwell and having various operations.

“Two weeks ago we were told it is terminal. They were hoping to operate again, but because of where it is and because the cancer is so aggressive, it will only keep coming back. It is beyond devastating.”

Noah remains in care, shuttling between the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham for palliative radiotherapy and pain management and it is uncertain if or when he could return home with his mum, dad James and six-year-old sister Thea.

Noah has been chasing hard-to-find Pokémon cards. (Photo: Contributed)

Caroline said: “He’s been an absolute superstar and handled all this with bravery far beyond his years. I’m so proud of him and he deserves the world.”

One thing that has helped Noah throughout has been his focus on collecting hard-to-find trading cards from the Japanese game phenomenon Pokémon.

Caroline said: “He’s been collecting since he was about five but his interest has really grown over the past couple of years, searching shops for the really special cards. He has thousands of them now. He’s obsessed, to be honest.

“It gives him a distraction, but also a connection to the fan community and something to work towards, and there’s excitement every time he opens a new pack of cards.

Noah's clubmates at Sleetmoor United are holding a special match in his honour this weekend.

“The ones he’s looking for the most are the rainbow cards, and a complete set of anything with Psyduck on, which is his favourite character.”

To help Noah’s hunt, and give friends and family a way to express their support, Caroline set up a GoFundMe page.

It has quickly exceeded expectations, flying past £6,500 at the time of writing – enough to fulfil other dreams Noah may have too.

She said: “We were expecting maybe a few hundred pounds from people who had asked if there was anything they could do for him.

“It’s now spread much wider and he’s had money and cards sent from complete strangers all over the country, and even as far away as the USA.

“We’ve been blown away by the kindness and generosity of people we’ve never met, who simply want to put a smile on Noah’s face. It restores your faith in humanity.”

Also doing their bit for the cause are Noah’s football club Sleetmoor United, where he is part of the under-14 squad.

A big Manchester United fan, many of his hopes for recovery involved taking to the pitch again with his teammates.

Instead, James and Noah’s grandad will be in attendance as coaches and club veterans go head to head in their annual charity match, which this year is dedicated to Noah.

Kicking off at Sleetmoor Sportsground in Swanwick, 3pm on Saturday, June 27, for those involved, the fixture will be far more important than England’s World Cup game against Panama later in the day, and tickets are a bargain £2.

A spokesperson said: “The club are heartbroken that one of our own has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, and we are dedicating all proceeds to the family to support them through this incredibly difficult time.

“Please join us for an incredible game of football and other activities while also supporting an incredible young man.”

To add to the fundraising, go to gofundme.com/f/pokemon-treats-for-noah-while-he-fights-cancer.