Young swimmers raise £970 for Jamie Inglis appeal (From York Press)

Young swimmers raise £970 for Jamie Inglis appeal

8:13am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

THE efforts to help a six-year-old boy who is bravely fighting cancer have been given a boost thanks to a community swimming group.

Jamie Inglis is battling the rare and aggressive form of cancer neuroblastoma, and has been given a 75 per cent chance of survival if he successfully goes through a clinical trial in Germany.

His parents Vicky and John are racing to raise £250,000 to fund the treatment with the help of the generous efforts of local fundraisers and donations from across the UK. The family has so far raised about £80,000.

This has now been boosted thanks to children at the Stuart Bell Swim School, based at Archbishop Holgate ’s School, who got together to swim more than 3,500 lengths, raising £970 in sponsorship.

Mr Bell said: “They really wanted to do something. One or two of the children know Jamie and a lot of the children were quite touched by it, especially the younger ones.

“We were pleased by how much we raised – £970 is a lot of money. It is very worthwhile, nobody likes to see a child being poorly and if it was your own child you would be doing the same.”

Jamie is due to travel to undergo treatment in Tubingen in Germany from August 20 which is hoped will repair his immune system.

Among fundraising efforts held to help the family, children and their relatives at Lord Deramore’s School in Heslington , where Jamie is a pupil, have organised numerous challenges and events.

Last month chef Jamie Oliver met the family to give his support, urging his 2.5 million Twitter followers to help.

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