Brave Jamie Inglis meets TV chef hero Jamie Oliver (From York Press)

Brave Jamie Inglis meets TV chef hero Jamie Oliver

10:06am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

BRAVE six-year-old Jamie Inglis has met his hero, TV chef Jamie Oliver, who has pledged to support the youngster in his battle against a rare cancer.

The world-famous chef met young Jamie and his parents at his new restaurant, Jamie’s Italian in Lendal, and discussed their efforts to raise £250,000 to fund pioneering neuroblastoma treatment.

Jamie Oliver said his business would make a “private gesture” to the appeal and said he would help to promote the Neuroblastoma Alliance, which fundraises for young victims.

The chef, famous for his TV work, school dinner campaigns and Sainsbury’s adverts, said: “You just look at his parents in admiration and wish them all the very best. Little Jamie is gorgeous beyond belief, a cute, cute little thing. I have got a little boy myself and he always gets so shy when he first meets people – after the first 15 minutes little Jamie was opening up and starting to talk and having a little giggle. He is absolutely lovely.

“We will try and help them get the word out there and do some fundraising and stuff. We will make a gesture privately and use all of our ability to give their charity which is based in London some more kudos and attention. twitter is quite powerful for me, two-and-a-half million people follow me, so we will just try and get it out there.”

He called for other restaurants to come together to support the fundraising efforts, perhaps by adding a voluntary 50p to each bill.

The family also met Jamie Oliver’s mentor and friend Gennaro Contaldo, and chefs taught young Jamie to make pasta.

Jamie Inglis, who is currently undergoing radiotherapy said: “The best thing was meeting Jamie Oliver and making the food.”

The Lord Deramore’s Primary School pupil, who lives in Kelfield, is due to travel to Germany for pioneering treatment at the end of the month, for which his family have to raise £250,000. They currently have £40,000.

His mum Vicky said: “He [Jamie Oliver] was quite interested in finding out about the treatment itself. He was surprised it is not already available. Our Jamie has been really excited about meeting him.”

Mr Oliver also met the 90 staff at the restaurant, which will officially open on Monday.

To donate to Jamie’s appeal, visit justgiving.com/jamiesappeal

• Yesterday’s meeting was arranged by The Press, after we were contacted by Jamie Inglis’s dad, John.