Family and friends are rallying round a Mansfield man who is fighting a rare blood cancer.

Lewis Johnson was told to isolate for the first weeks of his treatment, meaning only his mum, Kahli Johnson, and long-term partner, Emily Leonard, could visit him at City Hospital, Nottingham.

Friends have set up an online funding appeal to support Lewis and already more than £14,000 has been raised.

“I would also like to thank my wonderful friends for creating the GoFundMe to take unwanted stresses away,” he said. “I am absolutely overwhelmed. It’s been overwhelming, I really wasn’t expecting it.

“Someone who I’d never heard of before donated £300. It’s making me feel on top of the world in a really bad time.

“I am keeping positive and as strong as I can, even though I know I have a tough battle ahead of me. I know I can get through this with the support I have behind me.”

Friends are also raising money through a charity head and beard shave, and are planning to tackle the National Three Peaks Challenge in March — climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon.

Lewis has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that targets blood cells and bone marrow, and is now in a wheelchair as he starts a possible two-year recovery journey.

He is unable to shower, dress or walk unaided and specialists have advised six months of intense treatment, followed by many months of health maintenance and chemotherapy, which may result in a bone marrow transplant.

Lewis originally went to King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, complaining of a bad back and tiredness, where he was told he had anaemia and was discharged four days later. However, he then began to deteriorate and a CT scan revealed he had lesions in his bones, chest, sternum, and spine.

“They’ve said it’s curable, but it’s such a long process. I just take it day by day,” Lewis added.

Initially Kahli stayed with her son 24/7 at the hospital, helping him with everyday tasks such as washing and getting dressed.

Lewis added: “She’s been doing everything for me. It’s a struggle, not what you want at my age, but you’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt.”

Kahli said: “It’s difficult and I’m trying to keep him as positive as I can. It’s a shock for everyone and devastating, but everyone at City Hospital has been amazing. As a mother I need to be here with him.”

Anyone wanting to donate the fund to support Lewis should go to www.gofundme.com and search for Support Lewis with his fight against Leukaemia.