A nine-year old boy who has to travel abroad to have surgery is one step closer to funding it thanks to the Bradford Bulls and amateur rugby teams.

Callum Mynott, of Keighley, suffers from a rare form of throat cancer and needs to travel to Geneva in Switzerland for specialist radiotherapy.

It was thought he would be treated in France, but after assessment by specialists in Paris it was felt Geneva would be the best place for the nine-year-old to go.

Amateur rugby league clubs in Bradford South have raised £500 to help Callum and his father, David Mynott, who will have to spend several weeks in a hotel in Geneva before and after the treatment.

The Keighley Cougars decided to raise money for Callum, who is a huge Cougars fan and plays for the under-nines.

The team wrote a letter to all rugby league amateur clubs in the area asking them to raise just £5.

When the Super League giants heard of the campaign, they did their bit by donating a signed shirt for auction.

Shaun Phelan, chairman of Bradford South amateur rugby league club, said: "We received a letter from the Cougars asking for each amateur club to raise £5. We have a track record of raising money for charity, so we thought we can do better than £5.

"It pulled at your heart strings, especially as a parent. You can understand why his dad wants to be with him."

Mr Mynott, from Stock-bridge, said: "It's good that so many people are helping. I just don't know how much it's going to cost, but we've raised £6,000 so far."

Callum, who plays scrum half, said: "I feel happy because people are helping me and rugby is my favourite sport."

Callum was found to have a rare tumour in his throat during a routine check and went through intense surgery in November to have it removed.

Single dad Mr Mynott was shocked to discover the tumour was malignant and cancerous cells had remained in the throat.

Last month the youngster was assessed by cancer specialists at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds. He is due to have the treatment in late summer or early autumn.