FAMILY, friends and neighbours have raised thousands of pounds for a disabled Durham boy.

Organisers of the appeal fund for eight-year-old Alasdair Wadge said £3,668 had been raised through several events.

With sponsorship money still to come, that sum is expected to reach the £4,000 mark.

Alasdair, of Frankland Road, Framwellgate Moor, suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and blindness.

Money raised will help buy specialised equipment which will make life easier for Alasdair and mother, Hilary.

A Halloween night auction, at The Salutation pub, proved a successful fundraiser with items going under the hammer including a pair of boots belonging to Emmerdale's Mandy Dingle, electrical equipment and a flight in an air ambulance.

The most popular items were signed football shirts donated by Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough. Almost £2,000 was raised at the event.

Alasdair's grandmother, Rosalind Finley, said: "We were delighted with the support and Alasdair's mum was quite overcome.

"We have gone £1,000 over what we intended raising, so there is that much more he can have in the way of specialist equipment.

"We are thinking in terms of a revolving car seat because it can be difficult to get him in and out of the car.

"Letters are in the process of being sent out to say thanks to everybody," she said.

Other fundraising events included a collection among pupils at Framwellgate School.

Teenagers Anthony Price and Chris Harrison also boosted the fund by dressing in drag to collect money in Durham