THE family of a terminally ill toddler can tick another item off the bucket list they created for him when the youngster meets his hero, Mickey Mouse, this week.

Jade Sloan, of Darlington events company Sloan Events, has organised a Disney party full of treats and surprises for 20-month old Zach Parnaby and his parents, Ben and Lindsey.

Zach, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was diagnosed with a rare and terminal disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy last December and his devoted family are determined to fill his life full of adventure, while raising awareness of the condition.

They have created a bucket list of experiences for Zach, which range from swimming in the sea and building a snowman, to meeting his favourite characters, including Mickey Mouse and Fireman Sam.

Mr and Mrs Parnaby, both 29, are also urging people to sign a petition calling for the condition to be screened for at birth, a measure which could have saved their son’s life by identifying the need for a bone marrow transplant.

When Mrs Sloan heard about the family’s quest, she was determined to make one of Zach’s dreams come true.

Aware a trip to Disneyland would be too exhausting for the youngster, she teamed up with other local businesses to arrange a luxury cottage break near Richmond in North Yorkshire, along with a Disney Party at nearby Hudswell Village Hall.

Zach and Mickey Mouse will be the guests of honour.

Mrs Sloan, 29, said: “Zach’s mum is a friend of one of my best friends and when I heard their story I sat in Mainsgill Farm Cafe and cried.

“I’d not met Lindsey, Ben or Zach before but as I soon as I heard their Disney plans weren’t going to happen I had to help.”

Mrs Parnaby said the family had been overwhelmed by messages of kindness and donations totalling more than £10,000 since starting a Facebook page, A Promise for Zach.

She said: “We only set up the Facebook page because family and friends kept asking what we were up to. We weren’t looking for donations for the bucket list but people kept asking how they could donate.

“It’s been overwhelming. Zach loves Mickey Mouse. He has a comfort blanket with Mickey on and a dancing Mickey toy, which he loves.

“The items on the list are simple things but they mean a lot to us.”

The couple’s Go Fund Me page can be found at gofundme.com/apromiseforzach

To sign the petition, visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-babies-through-screening