A COUPLE working their way through a bucket list of everyday adventures with their terminally ill son watched his eyes light up as he met his hero Mickey Mouse this afternoon (Wednesday, March 11).

When Zach Parnaby was diagnosed with a rare and terminal disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy last December his devastated parents, Ben and Lindsey, were determined to fill his life full of happiness.

Together, they came up with a list of simple treats for their 20-month-old son, including building a snowman, swimming in the sea, riding a London bus and meeting his favourite characters.

The couple, from Spennymoor, County Durham, created a Facebook page, a Promise for Zach, to share their experiences with their friends and family and were soon inundated with offers to help.

Jade Sloan, of Darlington-based Sloan Events, was moved to tears by Zach’s story and set out to make one of his dreams come true.

She organised a treat-filled stay in a cottage near Richmond, North Yorkshire, for the family and today’s (Wednesday, March 11) Disney party at Hudswell Village Hall proved the highlight.

Surrounded by his family, little Zach was greeted by his hero Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters.

He also listened to his favourite music and watched a fireworks display.

Mrs Parnaby, 29, said: “It has been brilliant. Zach is taking it all in; the music and the dancing. Meeting Mickey was of course the highlight.

“It can sometimes take a little while for Zach to establish what is going on now because of his illness but after a while he started to smile and his eyes were shining.”

Mrs Parnaby said the cottage was ideal for the family as Zach’s carers were still able to visit if needed.

“It’s been wonderful for us to come away and enjoy some quiet time together,” she said. “I would like to thank Jade and everyone involved.”

Mrs Parnaby said they had never sought donations but had been overwhelmed by people asking how to donate.

A Go Fund Me page, created by the couple’s relatives, has raised more than £12,500.

The family is also urging people to sign a petition demanding for Zach’s condition to be screened for at birth, a measure which could have saved his life by identifying the need for a bone marrow transplant.

The 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