A NORTH Yorkshire schoolboy's brave fight against cancer has inspired generous local people to raise more than £10,000 to help buy a specialist ambulance.

Jonathan and Fiona Scarlett-Abbott, of Langton, near Malton, launched the ECMO Ambulance Appeal in October following the death of their seven-year-old son, Joshua.

Joshua became so ill in November 2001 that his life had to be saved using ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a bypass system which oxygenates the blood outside the body, allowing the lungs to rest and heal from infection.

Due to the lack of specialist ambulances, Josh was airlifted from Scarborough General Hospital, by Sea King helicopter, to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, the world's leading ECMO centre, where the procedure took place.

He was later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's 'T' cell anaplastic lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

However, the success of the ECMO procedure gave the Scarlett-Abbotts an extra, precious year with Joshua, and inspired them to raise £75,000 to buy a specialist ECMO paediatric ambulance so other sick children could benefit.

Managers at Monks Cross Shopping Park, in York, were so moved by Joshua's story that the proceeds from their Santa's Grotto are going to the appeal, and Evening Press readers have donated cash after reading about Joshua in the paper.

Mr Scarlett-Abbott said he was thrilled with the success of the appeal so far.

He said: "We have had a lot of input from family and friends following Joshua's funeral, but a fair proportion of money is coming in from the public, which is fantastic.

"It is a really touching story when you look at it, and we have had lots of letters and little notes coming in with money, from people who have a son the same age, or a grandfather who has lost his grandson.

"People are just saying it is so sad and they want to help the appeal."

Fundraising events are planned for next year and collections are currently taking place throughout the York area. To contribute towards the Joshua Scarlett-Abbott ECMO Ambulance Appeal write to Carrier House, Main Street, Langton, Malton, York YO17 9QP, or telephone 0870 9077101.

Updated: 10:33 Saturday, December 28, 2002