HUNDREDS of children hurtled to the finish line to boost a charity which is keeping alive the memory of a brave little boy from York.

The Smiley Riley Fund UK staged its first Run And Fun Day at Mille Crux playing fields yesterday, with races, games and stalls.

The fund was formed last year with the original intention of sending young Riley Plant, from Burnholme, and his family on a Disney holiday after he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable brain tumour.

However, his illness meant he could not travel, and he died last September aged 21 months.

Smiley Riley subsequently became a charity and has already raised tens of thousands of pounds to help families whose children are undergoing chemotherapy, to meet living and travel costs.

It has formed a partnership with national brain tumour charity brainstrust.

Yesterday’s Run And Fun Day saw about 400 people enjoy the races and other events.

Simone Potter, Smiley Riley’s founder and Riley’s grandmother, said: “It was a really great day, and although we had a lot of things for children to enjoy, what they wanted to do most of all was run for Smiley Riley.

"We have made a lot of good contacts through organising this event and City of York Council, which has supported us throughout, has seen the determination and hard work which has gone into it and the great turnout, so we hope we can work wth them on other things as well as making the Run and Fun Day an annual event."

The fund also thanked Mark Shirtcliffe for making various games for the fun day, Andy Tagg of A64 Loo Hire for providing the toilets and Eric Banner, who runs Banner Fisheries in New Earswick and donated yesterday's £600 takings to the fund after opening specially for the day to support Smiley Riley.

Children who raised sponsorship are asked to return forms and money by May 7, with the child who raises the most winning four tickets to Legoland. More information can be found at thesmileyrileyfund.co.uk.