Standing with the Chisholm family — Laura, Charlie, Ted and Darcy

Anyone who has met Ted Chisholm knows the joy he brings into a room. At almost three and a half, he is a spritely, warm-hearted little boy with a head full of monster trucks, a heart full of Spider-Man, and a soul that bleeds black and white for the mighty Magpies. He lives in Melbourne with his mum Laura, his dad Charlie, and his 16-month-old little brother Darcy, who is already doing his very best to keep up with his big brother's adventures.

A few weeks ago, Ted was doing what he loves most — kicking the footy in the backyard with his family. The Sun was out, Darcy was toddling after him, and the world was exactly as it should be. But something wasn't quite right. Ted was tiring easily, struggling to play the way he usually does, and combined with a few other small things Laura and Charlie had noticed, they had a visit to the GP which quickly turned into a rush to hospital. An MRI revealed a lesion on Ted's brain. He was admitted to Monash Children's Hospital, and within days the specialists confirmed the news no parent could ever be ready to hear: an aggressive, inoperable tumour on Ted's brainstem.

Following a biopsy it has been confirmed Ted has a Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) and Ted is now beginning radiotherapy at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Why we're here

Through all of this, Laura and Charlie have been nothing short of extraordinary. Their focus is, and will always be, Ted. They are determined that he won't know anything is different — that his world will keep being full of monster trucks, Spider-Man capes, footy in the yard, his mum's cuddles, his dad's piggybacks, and the little brother who adores him. They want every day with their boy to be filled with the joy he so generously gives to everyone around him.

That's where we come in.

We, the family and close friends of the Chisholms, have set up this page so that Laura and Charlie don't have to think about anything except being with their boys. The road ahead is uncertain, but the costs are very real: time away from work, ongoing medical expenses and — most importantly — the freedom to say yes to whatever makes Ted smile.

Every dollar raised will go directly to the Chisholm family. There is no "right" amount; whatever you can give will help lift the weight off Laura and Charlie's shoulders so they can pour all of their love and energy into Ted, into Darcy, and into each other.

How you can help

Ted is one of the kindest, brightest, funniest little souls you could ever meet, and his family is one of the most loving you'll ever come across. They would do this for any one of us in a heartbeat.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing with the Chisholms in the days, weeks and months ahead. Ted is so deeply loved. — and this family is fighting for every moment with him. For every backyard footy kick, every Spider-Man adventure, every giggle with Darcy chasing behind him. Not a care in the world. That's what we're fighting for.

For Ted. Always.