Courageous Matthias Plewka of Feltham who has a brain tumour is due to fly to Germany for potentially life-saving surgery on Saturday.

Two weeks ago, the six-year-old boy, took a turn for the worse and following a visit to the hospital doctors discovered his tumour was growing.

Mum Joanna, 32, and dad Tomasz, 35 of Parkfield Road, who also have a one-year-old named Simon, have decided despite not having the £80,000 needed to cover the cost of the operation and aftercare, they must go now if they have any hope of saving their eldest son's life.

The family will depart for Germany on Saturday, July 1.

Mother-of-two Mrs Plewka said: "Unfortunately Matthias wasn't very well and two weeks ago we took him to the hospital as he was having seizures and found out the tumour is getting bigger.

"I thought I was going to lose him.

"We called Germany and said we have £34,000 but they said they need the whole amount (£50,000 for surgery), so we have taken out a bank loan."

A total of £34,000 has been raised through several events and donations including a family fun day at the end of May which helped raise £8,300 and more than £6,000 through online donations.

The family are grateful for the support and donations made by family, friends and people in the community which has given them the hope they need to keep their son alive.

While they have secured enough funds for the surgery and two weeks in hospital, they still need £30,000 more to make sure Matthias receives full post surgery treatment and rehabilitation.

So far the brave little boy has defied all odds after he was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2010 and told he had only one year to live.

After part of the tumour was removed and following two bouts of failed chemotherapy, and having a large cyst removed, the Plewka's battle will take them to Germany.

His parents continue to plea to the public and say "please help us save our son's life."

Any funds that are not used for Matthias will go to the Luna's Little Star charity.

Read Matthias's story at www.helpmatthias.com

Donate at www.justgiving.com/mattiasplewka