THE fate of a little girl fighting cancer remains in the balance following her latest scan results.

Two-year-old Ruby Owen, pictured below, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May and will have her second course of chemotherapy later this week.

Initial results show Ruby is responding to the treatment which offers a "glimmer" of hope to her family.

But doctors are still to decide whether they can operate on Ruby's tumour for a second time.

Meanwhile, friends and family are continuing to rally around the Owens, organising a number of fund-raising events, including a fun day at Kidsgrove Cricket Club yesterday.

Hundreds of pounds have already been raised by people touched by Ruby's story.

Parents Martin and Rachel Owen, who have given up their jobs to care for Ruby, are taking it in turns to stay with her in hospital, while also looking after her 10-year-old sister Charlotte.

Martin, aged 38, of Kidsgrove, said: "We won't have the full results of the scan for another two weeks, but the doctor said he was happy with the scan. The tumour has been affected by the chemotherapy, and so now they're going to decide whether they can operate again and remove the remaining tumour. They said the prognosis was still pretty bad, but it is a glimmer."

Since her diagnosis, Ruby has spent much of her time at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool, where surgeons were able to remove 95 per cent of the original tumour.

Following last week's scan, Ruby was home for just two days before going to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with a high temperature.

Martin added: "Ruby has spent just one week at home since she was diagnosed, and I think she is going to be in and out from now on."

If the chemotherapy does not work, Ruby's parents may have to find £250,000 for radiotherapy treatment abroad.

It is not yet certain whether this money will be needed but Martin said he and his family had been overwhelmed by the fund-raising response.

Firefighters from Kidsgrove, including Martin's friend Andy Litherland, raised £510 by washing cars earlier this month, and further events are planned over the summer.

Friends are organising a charity football match and a number of bands have offered to put on concerts to raise additional funds.

Martin said: "It's been absolutely fantastic how everyone is helping us, especially Donna Downs and Sarah Beeston, who organised the fun day."

Donna, aged 32, from Kidsgrove, said: "I'm friends with Rachel and Martin as our children are the same age. I realised I couldn't really help them with what they're going through, but I thought I could help raise some funds.

"We've had a great response, but that isn't surprising considering how popular Rachel, Martin and Ruby are."