YOUNG friends of a seriously ill toddler have helped to raise about £1,000 towards providing him with potentially lifesaving treatment.

Fundraisers donned fancy dress to take part in a sponsored walk around Chesney Fields in Acomb in aid of two-year-old William Rhodes, who suffers from a rare form of anaemia.

His parents Ben, 28, and Caroline Rhodes, 33, from Hamilton Drive in Holgate, aim to raise more than £60,000 to fund genetic treatment which will allow them to have another child.

They hope that stem cells from the umbilical cord of a tissue-matched brother or sister could save William’s life by enabling him to have a bone marrow transplant.

A large group of children and their parents attended the walk organised by family friend Jodie Sandford – the latest in a string of events to raise money for William. Caroline said: “We would like to say thank you to Jodie for organising the children’s sponsored walk. It was a lovely day, all the children had so much fun and at the same time we raised funds for William, which was brilliant. All the children and parents went to such an effort to get sponsors, for which we are so grateful.”

William suffers from diamond blackfan anaemia, which leaves him unable to produce red blood cells. He currently undergoes a blood transfusion a month and is likely to face serious health problems if he survives into his teenage years without a bone marrow transplant. The disorder affects only 125 people in Britain.

William has received a total of 32 blood transfusions so far.

People from across the country have been fundraising to pay for William’s treatment and aftercare. A further charity event is planned to take place at The Acomb pub, in Kingsway West, on Sunday. At 4pm a sponsored leg wax is taking place. A waitress service will offered to bring drinks to tables and there will also be a raffle.

If you would like to help raise money for William email crhodes78@hotmail.co.uk