Boy's own charity

6:07pm Wednesday 23rd January 2002

RECOVERING cancer victim Thomas Ball has bought a motorbike for a leukaemia sufferer after holding his own party to raise the cash.

Thomas, 12, who lives in Sixty Acres Road in Prestwood, recently bought a 'mini moto' bike and safety gear for 12-year-old Nick Young from Dunstable after holding a Christmas disco in Great Kingshill.

Elaine Ball, Thomas's mum said they knew Thomas has always wanted a motorbike and was proud of him when he suggested buying one for Nick.

She said: "We considered carefully the request to purchase Nick a motorbike and had to obtain authorisation from Great Ormond Street Hospital where Nick is a patient.

"The consultant wasn't too happy about it at first but after talking it through with Nick's parents they agreed it would bring a lot of happiness to a very sick young boy who has relapsed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia."

Thomas, a Misbourne School pupil, had a charity named after him in 1999 after he had finished almost two years of treatment for cancer at The John Radcliffe and High Wycombe hospitals.

The main object of the charity is to relieve sickness and distress among children suffering from cancer and their families.

The charity has spent the last couple of years raising funds to purchase a holiday home where children treated for cancer and leukaemia can go for a break away with their families free of charge.

The chalet cost £17,000 and is now available for families to visit on the coast at New Milton, Hampshire.

Other funds have been used for research and hospital equipment.

For further information about the charity and its work call 01494 890157.