A BRAVE ten-year-old boy's battle with leukaemia has inspired a Darlington club to raise money for research into the disease.

Michael Fogarty, from Hurworth, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was seven and underwent ten months of chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant.

He is now in remission and earlier this month his parents, Judith and John, gave a talk about their experiences to Darlington Lioness Club.

Club president Pat De Martino said: "The positive attitude shown by all the family encouraged the Lionesses and Lions to try to raise as much money as possible for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

"We are also raising money in memory of former Lion Ken Dawkes who died from leukaemia and whose wife Maisie is a Lioness."

Mr Fogarty presented the club with £300, raised by friends and workmates, to kick start the Lionesses' appeal.

The club will hold a Christmas craft fair on Sunday at Blackwell Grange Hotel from 10am to 4pm. Admission is £1 and free for children.