Kinglake five-year-old Riley Ellis is excited to start school this year after a tough four years.

In 2009 Riley endured the Black Saturday bushfires, hiding in his home in Kinglake with his mum Kirsty, who was pregnant at the time, whilst his dad battled to save their home from the fires.

Just 11 months later Riley was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He has since been undergoing treatment at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

With the beginning of the school year close and the chance of finally being in remission from cancer, Riley’s parents are desperate to finally have a normal life for Riley and his younger sister Gabrielle.

“He’s already been through enough – he hasn’t had a normal life compared to other kids,” Ms Ellis said.

“You just can’t describe it, your whole world is turned upside down and it’s utter devastation.

“You just wish it was yourself because he was only 2 1/2 years old.

“It is now a bit scary letting him go to school because we have been with him 24/7 the last three years looking after him,” she said.

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