COUNCIL staff have pulled out the stops to help raise money for a trip-of-a-lifetime to Disneyland Paris for the dangerously ill son of council employee Hedley Fynn-Brand. They have raised £900 in three days for 10-year-old Harry, who is seriously ill wit

COUNCIL staff have pulled out the stops to help raise money for a trip-of-a-lifetime to Disneyland Paris for the dangerously ill son of council employee Hedley Fynn-Brand.

They have raised £900 in three days for 10-year-old Harry, who is seriously ill with a rare form of childhood bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma.

Harry, who lives with his parents and his two brothers, Oliver, 15, and Shaun, 13, in Cavalry Park, March, was diagnosed with the rare cancer in September 2005. After a double dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy throughout October, he appeared to recover.

To celebrate, the family took off to Disneyland Paris for what mum Angela called a magical holiday.

It had been a gruelling time for the family and Harry in particular. Harry had been given a very poor prognosis by the doctors at University College Hospital in London and the family were overjoyed that Harry had appeared to pull through.

He was well enough to return to Westwood Junior School and the family breathed a cautious sigh of relief.

But last month the cancer returned, aggressively, and now Harry is very ill. Dad Hedley has been a member of Fenland District Council's staff for 29 years, working in the old highways department and latterly as a driver.

"When staff heard about the plight of his son, they moved quickly to raise money to send Harry to Disneyland," said council spokesman Terry Brownbill.

"In three days, staff had donated £900 and the money is still coming in.

"But time is of the essence and it is important to organise the Disneyland trip while Harry is able to travel."

Mum Angela said: "We were so happy when he appeared to have recovered and the time we had at Disneyland when he pulled through was a magical time for us as a family.

"Now that Harry is so poorly, it is important for Harry that we go and try and make his face light up again.

"We are grateful to council staff who have been extraordinarily supportive in raising money and we are also very grateful to the people of Fenland for their good wishes and support."

Tim Pilsbury, the council's chief executive, said: "The whole council has been distressed by the news of Harry's serious illness.

"We all want to do something for the family at this difficult time and I am delighted that staff have moved so quickly to raise money towards sending Harry and his family to Disneyland."

- The Cambs Times is backing the Fenland Council fund-raiser, and anyone wishing to donate to Harry's Disneyland Paris fund can bring or send their contributions to the Cambs Times office at 51 High Street, March.