A MOTHER who lost her son to a rare form of bone cancer has raised over £180,000 for charity in the five years since his death.

Twelve-year-old County Durham schoolboy Henry Dancer died in 2010, less than a year after he was diagnosed with a one in 10,000,000 case of osteosarcoma.

For the last three years, his mother, Jane Nattrass, 52, from Cornsay, near Lanchester, has devoted her life to raising money in his name.

She has published her diaries of the 348 days it took from the St Bede’s School pupil’s diagnosis until his death and set up Henry Dancer Days to offer some respite to families going through the same ordeal.

Mrs Nattrass, who lives with her husband, Gary 55, has helped 170 families with grants to ease the burden.

She said: “Initially, we thought we would pay for days out, and it is not always like that, but the idea is if you have Henry Dancer Day it is a good day.

“There was one point we were given a charitable donation during Henry’s illness and we had a momentary sigh of relief because finances do become very tight.

“Even if it is just a smile for a day for a family, that is what I wanted to give other people.”

Mrs Nattrass has also set up a storytelling project for sick children being treated at the RVI and is having interactive quilts made by The Linus Project.

Her charity has former England captain Alan Shearer, who met Henry as its patron, while Horrible Histories author Terry Deary is an advocate of her storytelling scheme.

The Burnhope-based writer said: “The value of storytelling is well known and children suffering from cancer treatment are no different to the rest of us.

“The enjoyment and distraction which Henry Dancer Days offers to local kids is worth its weight in gold. The families also enjoy the 'time out' too."

Mr Deary is guest speaker at the Henry Dancer Days Ball at the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle on October 30 at 7pm. Tickets cost £50 and include a three course meal, Champagne and wine.

Lindisfarne’s Steve Daggett is performing for the charity at Lanchester Social Club on October 24 at 7pm and tickets costing £5 are available from the village Post Office.

On November 12, there will be a wine tasting at Pip Stop in Maiden Law with tickets costing £10 for wine and cheese.

Mrs Nattrass said: “We have raise a lot of money through the generosity of local people. They have heard about the charity and want to help out.”

For more information log on to henrydancerdays.co.uk/