A campaign to help raise money for special treatment for an autistic boy from Ilkley has received two major boosts.

A charity auction organised by the Ilkley Round Table raised £1,318 for four-year-old Robert Sime and a hairdresser from Sheffield has raised £500 for Robert's Ray of Hope campaign.

The Round Table auction, held at the Wheatley Hotel, saw a successful night's fundraising with proceeds split between the Ilkley Upstagers Theatre Group and Robert's campaign.

Janet Ellis, of Sheffield, heard about the campaign from a relative of Robert and set about raising money through her hairdressing business.

A tombola game based on the National Lottery soon resulted in cash flowing in for the Ilkley youngster.

A delighted Mrs Ellis, 50, said: "No-one round here knows Robert but everyone has had a go and we have raised £500."

Robert, of Gilstead Way, Ilkley, suffers from autism, a developmental disorder which leaves children unable to communicate properly. Thanks to intensive therapy costing £18,000-a-year, his condition has improved and it is hoped he will be able to attend a mainstream school.

To help Robert's parents Harry and Lorraine afford the expensive one-to-one treatment, the Ilkley Gazette, a sister paper of the Telegraph & Argus, and Ilkley Round Table have been raising money since earlier this year.

Mr Sime said he was extremely pleased with the fundraising efforts and would like to thank all those people in the community who have contributed in any way.

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