Alex Ruby, 16, from Victoria Road, first discovered he had the terminal illness in February last year and since then, has written 51 poems covering everything from the tumour to the importance of laughter.

He said: "I sometimes find it hard to talk about how I am feeling so it helps to put it down on paper." The lad, who has an elder sister and a younger brother, said: "All my family have been really supportive and my dad told me he believes in me."

A former pupil of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Alford, Alex hopes that by getting his poetry published he can raise money for Clic Sargent – a charity which cares for young people with cancer: "I would like to give 50 per cent of money raised to them as they have been a real help to me."

Mum Lynne said: "We are very proud of Alex, he has been so brave and doesn't ever really moan about it, he just gets on with things."
Alex explained how he learned of his condition last year: "I had been suffering from severe headaches and was off school one day and my mum came home and found me in a coma in our front room."

Since then, he has undergone four operations at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, suffering a brain haemorrhage in the process.
Doctors have been unable to say how long Alex has left to live, as the brave youngster explained: "They just told me to take every day as it comes and they will keep checking up on me. It's been hard on all of us, but we've each been coping in our own way."

* Can you help Alex achieve his dream of publishing his poetry? If so, contact the Leader on 01507 617400

Here are some of Alex's poems -

Just How I Feel

Sometimes I find it hard to express how I feel
I wish this condition of mine wasn't real.

So I'll say it makes me upset
Which I haven't fully expressed yet.

It doesn't scare me alone
It scares all people in my home.

So many people care
I thank you all for being there.

I'm out of hospital, I'm glad
My family being scared makes me sad.

Don't be scared as this far I've coped
As all of you have given me hope.

God can't have wanted me gone
Of this I'm sure I'm not wrong.

So I send thanks to everyone
To me you've shone like the sun.

By Alex Ruby



Friends

Friends, Friends you're so dear to me
This at least I hope you can see

I hope you all do really well
Because to me this would be swell

In my heart you'll always stay
I hope it continues to be this way

I can't name but a single mate
As you have all been so great

Thank you so much for your support
You've all been such real good sports

It's not just students
It's teachers as well
I thank every one of you
For all of your help

It's been tough
It's been hard

I won't give up
I have come so far

So I wish you all the very best
I promise I don't say this in jest.

By Alex Ruby


I wonder

I sometimes wonder why I am here!
But all the reasons are never clear

I hate being left feeling so alone
Maybe they think I too often moan

I feel like I'm imprisoned forever and a day
But I know that I'll be set free whatever comes my way

I feel abandoned all my friends have left me
Now I'm sitting in the dark, so quiet and lonely

I know dear family you are there for me
I've written this poem just for you to see.

By Alex Ruby


Laughter

Laughter is the cheapest medicine
It can help you to have some fun
Let all of your cares go
Right out of the window

Remember the good times
They will bring a smile
They will get you through
- the bad times all the while

Don't forget you've got friends
Who'll laugh with you
Until the end
Does this prove they are true?

So have a laugh every now and then
And remember to you I am a good friend
Just have a laugh and turn that frown
The opposite way round.


The tumour

It's not alright to say you don't feel it
The pain and suffering brought from it
I understand, I feel it too
Let your feelings out
If it helps scream and shout

I know the pain I felt it too
'Cus I am exactly just like you
It's not just you, it's all that you know
They all show feelings friend or foe

Mum was crying she thought I was dying
It hurts me to see her like this
My dad is hurting deep down inside
Sometimes I wish from all this I could hide

I'm now standing tall
I've given it my all
I'll keep up the fight
'Cus I know that's right

By Alex Ruby