FUNDRAISING for the Oscar Hughes appeal has continued apace, following the devastating news that doctors can do no more to save the York schoolboy's life.

Former York City and Manchester United player Jonathan Greening has had his hair shaved off after raising £1,000 for the fund.

And the health and fitness club David Lloyd York in Hull Road - of which Oscar is a member - is going ahead with a charity auction tomorrow evening.

An appeal for £150,000 was launched last week after Oscar, who was operated on for a brain tumour last year, suffered a relapse. His Dunnington parents Ian and Marie thought the money would be needed for him to go abroad to take part in promising research and clinical trials.

But their hopes were dashed when experts concluded on Thursday that the aggression of the relapse had gone too far for harsh treatments to continue.

The couple say any money not used for Oscar will be re-directed to charities to help other children in similar situations.

The fund total had reached £57,000 by yesterday afternoon, with donations including £72 from a seven-year-old called Jannon, who said: "I wanted to raise some money for Oscar after I heard how ill he was, so would like you to have all the loose change in my glass jar which I have collected."

Oscar’s school friend Davide Bortone has also donated £100 instead of having a birthday party.

Greening, who now plays for Nottingham Forest, asked fans last weekend to back the fundraising drive, saying that if he succeeded he would give a team-mate the joy of shaving off his long locks, and he lost his hair yesterday.

Tracey Pinfold, general manager of David Lloyd York, said everyone at the club had been really upset to hear about Oscar’s illness, especially when it came back again.

"The family have been members here almost since the club opened," she said. "Oscar is one of our most promising young players and is very popular with coaches and members. Everyone wanted to show their support and do whatever they can to help.” Auction prizes include free lessons donated by tennis coaches who worked with Oscar and personal training packages.