The family of a brave youngster awaiting a new kidney are hoping to raise vital funds for the hospital that saved his life.

Oliver Cahill was eight years old when he was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary with suspected appendicitis.

His mum Angela Cahill, 35, of Beechwood Grove, Shipley, said: "He went from bad to worse and within three or four days he was in a wheelchair."

Oliver was found to have kidney failure and was transferred to St James's Hospital in Leeds, where he stayed for three months.

He was diagnosed as having IgA nephropathy which is caused by the build-up of a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the kidneys. IgA usually helps the body fight disease but its accumulation prevents the kidneys from filtering waste and excess water from the blood, causing blood and protein to appear in the urine and swelling in the hands and feet.

The cause of the disease is unknown and it affects all ages.

Oliver was rushed to the intensive care unit four times during his stay and was finally released from hospital in October.

The St William's Primary School pupil is now waiting for a new kidney.

He still has to undergo ten hours of dialysis every night and his parents are waiting for test results to see if they can be suitable donors.

Mrs Cahill said: "It is really hard for Oliver; he doesn't have the energy of other children and he can't do PE at school.

"He doesn't go swimming because there is a tube coming out of his stomach and he doesn't want the other children to see."

Mrs Cahill is hoping to raise money for the Children's Kidney Dialysis Unit and is writing to local businesses to ask them for their support.

She said many of the children who go there were unable to have dialysis at home and had to visit the hospital every day.

The unit tried to make things easier for them by taking them out on day trips with nurses from the hospital.

Mrs Cahill has organised a charity evening at Shipley Working Men's Club which will take place on March 17 at 7.30pm.

There will be a live performance by the band Three Men in a Corner and supper.

Tickets cost £5 and are available by calling 07747 063311.