JUST weeks after Lowestoft teenager Rory Davies received the best Christmas gift possible – that he was winning his fight against life-threatening illness – he and his family are facing a fresh battle.

In December, The Journal reported on how 15-year-old Rory was on the road to recovery after enduring 11 months of treatment for brain and spinal cancer.

The Benjamin Britten High School pupil and Lowestoft Kuk Sool Won club second-degree black belt-holder was told that the disease was 'inactive' after a scan.

But, with Rory excited about returning to school and his parents loooking ahead with hope to a brighter 2011, the Davies family has received some 'devastating news'.

'Rory went for a routine scan last week, and we received the news that there was no further treatment available,' his mum Lisa said. 'Unfortunately, things have progressed much quicker than anticipated, and Rory is now very poorly.'

For the past few weeks, Rory's dad Andy has been planning a special fundraiser for later this year: he plans to tackle the Three Peaks (Snowdon, in Wales, Ben Nevis, in Scotland and Scafell Pike, in England) and to raise a minimum of �5,000 towards a new teenage cancer unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

'Just when Rory's life was returning to some kind of normality, a recent scan has shown that cancer has returned,' Mr Davies said.

'Though he is still fighting this horrible disease, we have just had the devastating news that all parents dread: the cancer is back and there's no other treatment available.

'We have only been able to enjoy another year with Rory thanks to the expertise of the doctors and nurses at Addenbrooke's, and, of course, Rory's grit and determination has shown throughout.

'I now feel like it's my turn to give something back and to help others like Rory, so in June I plan to complete the infamous Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours or less, and have managed to rope in some good friends to do it with me.'

There have been hundreds of goodwill messages to Rory on social networking website Facebook, willing him not to give up his brave fight.

'With your support, Rory can overcome this monster once again, so please show him your support and others like him and donate to www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-involved/as-a-fundraiser/fundraisers/clays-3-peak-challenge-team/' said his dad.

And Mrs Davies said: 'Rory is proud of his dad for doing the fundraising challenge.

'Rory took the news with amazing courage and dignity, just confirming what a special person he is.'