The parents of a sick boy say they have been overwhelmed by the kindness of their local community which has pulled together to send their son to Florida.

Ten-year-old Declan Tillotson is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in August 2004.

The youngster dreams of swimming with dolphins and parents Denise and Neil have vowed to do everything they can to make it come true.

When word began to spread of Declan's dream, friends and neighbours in Pudsey decided to help.

Colwyn Toner, 38, who lives next door to the Tillotson family in Priestley Drive, told her mother Val Womack, of Littlemoor View, Pudsey.

Mrs Womack had experience of a child being diagnosed with cancer Colwyn was successfully treated for thyroid cancer in 2004 so she decided, along with neighbours, Josie Hare and Kath Wilkinson, to start raising money to send Declan to Florida.

They also wanted to send the Tillotsons other children, Liam, 16, and Eilish, 14, who have been deeply affected by their brother's illness and Colwyn and her husband Chris and their daughters Loren, 13, and Elli, six, who often help out when Declan makes one of his frequent trips to hospital.

When they found out the bill for the trip would be £10,000 they were not daunted and began to speak to local businesses, community groups, schools and pubs, asking for their help.

That was ten months ago, and now they are just £3,000 short of their goal. The trip is booked for December and the push is now on to raise the last amount.

Mrs Tillotson said: "They are all amazing, I would not have managed without them. Colwyn is my rock and Val has taken all the pressure away from me. I can't really believe what has happened. It has just gone from strength to strength. I never in a million years expected this.

"People I don't even know have been fundraising and that is what I find really touching.

The offers of help have been phenomenal. It restores my faith in human nature.

"Declan is so excited about the trip they all are and just can't wait to go."

If you want to help with fundraising contact Mrs Womack on 07814 622040.

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Drama started on family holiday

The family were on holiday when Declan began to get ill.

"He was just lethargic and did not want to go in the sea," said Mrs Tillotson, 40.

"Then he came up in a purple rash that looked like meningitis. We did the glass test and it did not disappear so we took him to hospital.

"They did not know what it was and we took him away but the next day he was bruising before our eyes so we took him back to hospital.

"I insisted on blood tests because I knew it was serious and I knew he was really ill. When they took the blood he passed out."

The tests revealed Declan, then eight, had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and he was taken to St James's Hospital in Leeds to begin treatment.

He now undergoes chemotherapy every day, administered via a line inserted permanently into his chest and orally at home treatment which will continue until 2007.

Mrs Tillotson said: "He grins and bears it but at times he struggles."

How the money is raised

People have held raffles, table-top sales, sponsored events and even a concert to help send Declan to Disneyland.

His best friend Alex Reid got the ball rolling when he completed a sponsored swim raising £250. Another sponsored swim by friend Nial Sunderland raised £506.

The residents of Littlemoor View raised £500 by holding a raffle.

A jewellery party arranged with the help of Decadent Designs raised £163 and Loren Toner and Hayley Hare donated £27 from a tabletop sale.

Lister Hill Baptist Church, Horsforth, pledged £98 and St Andrew's Church, Pudsey, have a collection plate to encourage the congregation to give.

A tin on the bar of the Noble Comb, Shipley, raised £105. £100 was given by the Masons Arms.

Pudsey Congs Cricket Club, Fulneck Golf Club, Century House Job Centre and shops Lady Grand and Farnells have also got involved.

Other donations have come from local football club Shooting Starts, Julie Clarkson of Original Cowboy Line Dancing, who along with friends Alan Crossley and Vina Ward raised £319.

A sponsored walk organised by Galen and Richard Armistead raised £2,500, with the help of M.M.S Management Services. The Forget-Me-Not charity has also donated £1,500.

Future events include an open garden on Saturday, June 24, and a fair at Pudsey House on Sunday, August 10.

Tomorrow staff of John Allen Hairdressing are holding an event at the salon in High Street, Yeadon at 6.30pm.