Friends and family are set to honour a boy who died from a rare form of cancer at just seven years old.

Jared Smith, from East Malling, was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer rhabdomyosarcoma in 2019 when he was four.

He died just after his seventh birthday last year, following a two-year battle with the disease.

Now friends are preparing to take part in a moonlit walk to remember "shining star" Jared, on what would have been his eighth birthday on October 21.

Mum Sonya explained Jared's battle began when doctors found a 9cm tumour between his bladder and kidney in 2019.

She said: "He started his treatment straight away with nine rounds of chemotherapy, a six-hour surgery, six weeks of proton beam therapy in Manchester and then six months of maintenance chemo.

"In July 2020, his scans showed no sign of disease but only three months later the cancer had returned and chemotherapy had to start again.

"Sadly, in October 2021 Jared lost his battle with cancer. He was seven years old."

Sonya explained that the fundraising walk will raise money for Taylor Made Dreams – a charity for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families which also runs sibling support groups attended by Jared's sister Sasha.

"Jared’s friends wanted to do something in memory of him for what would have been his eighth birthday," she said. "The 8km moonlight walk is to raise funds for the charity Taylor Made Dreams. They give children with life-limiting illnesses the opportunity to fulfil their dreams and also provide their families with support from trained therapeutic professionals. "

So far, the charity walk has raised more than £1,120, via a GoFundMe page www.gofundme.com/f/taylor-made-dreams.

Writing on the page, organiser Louise Howell added: "In memory of our shining star, Jared Smith, his friends are taking part in a moonlit walk on October 21. They will be walking 8km in honour of their much-loved friend, to mark what would have been his eighth birthday and the year anniversary of his sad departure.

"The children would love to raise as much as they possibly can for Taylor Made Dreams, who have been such a support to Jared, Sonya, Andy and Sasha.

"All the money raised will go to this phenomenal charity which offers invaluable support to families through difficult times."

Over the past five years, Taylor Made Dreams has made 1,200 bucket-list wishes come true for children with terminal illnesses in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

It also supports the families with holistic play and counselling sessions, medical travel grants, equipment, family experiences and special keepsakes.