Young Skyla in race against time

Skyla Keating would dearly like to fulfil her bucket list in the time she has left.

Skyla Keating wants to see the snow.

The 5-year-old is not like most children. She doesn't have the rest of her life to do all the things a little girl dreams of.

In August last year Skyla was diagnosed with a rare and inoperable brain tumour and given just nine months to live.

The courageous Tauranga girl has exceeded doctor's expectations, living 10 months already but her family want to make her wishes come true sooner than later.

They include visiting the snow, flying in a helicopter and going on a horse trek.

Her grandfather, "Poppa" Keith Hatwell, said fundraising for Skyla's bucket list was urgent while she was well enough to cope with the adventures.

"We've got her in quite a stable state at the moment but we don't know how long that's going to last."

Skyla's cancer was discovered after her father Jamie Hatwell became concerned when she began "stumbling around" following a school visit.

Doctors initially diagnosed an ear infection but a follow-up visit to Tauranga Hospital revealed the brain tumour. After being admitted to Starship for more tests, she was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Skyla's family set up a Givealittle page and $13,000 was raised to help cover the cost of alternative methods when medical treatment was limited to radiation.

But the funds have depleted to $1060 as Skyla received a range of alternative therapies costing at least $1000 a month. Mr Hatwell said he and Skyla's father believed the treatments had prolonged Skyla's life. Skyla's sixth birthday is approaching in September.

Mr Hatwell said the family were preparing for the worst but holding out hope for as long as possible with their precious girl.

- To donate to help Skyla visit the webpage https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/teamskylahatwell

What is DIPG?

* Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DPIG) is a tumour found in part of the brain stem near the top of the spinal cord.

* Located in the part of the brain that controls a number of important bodily functions such as breathing, sleeping, bladder control and balance.

* It is a diffuse tumour meaning it's not isolated and the cancer cells mix with healthy cells.

* Primarily affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between 5 and 12 years of age.

* Diagnosed in one to two children each year in New Zealand.