A VILLAGE is rallying round to support the family of a young boy battling a deadly cancer in hospital.

Residents of rural Ravenstonedale have joined together to help the parents of four-year-old Adam Nicholson, who has blood and bone marrow cancer lymphoblastic leukaemia.

He was left fighting for his life and had to have cardiac massage after he picked up an infection during chemotherapy this month.

Parents Mark and Chaantallaimy Nicholson have remained at his bedside, at Manchester Children’s Hospital, since he was diagnosed with the cancer, four weeks ago.

They said they had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the goodwill of friends and neighbours who have donated gifts and services for a charity auction to raise money for the family.

The auction has snowballed to nearly 100 lots and is set to take place at 4pm, on Sunday, September 30, at the Black Swan Inn, in Ravenstonedale.

Meanwhile, more have signed up to a sponsored walk with Newbiggin-on-Lune Parent and Toddler Group, on September 22.

Adam’s cousin Kian Nicholson will also be shaving off his hair to raise money. Mrs Nicholson, 25, said community support had boosted them at a terrifying time.

“We nearly lost Adam,” she said. “He got an infection and ended up with scepticiemia. His blood pressure and his heart rate dropped and he had to have cardiac massage.

“The infection spread to his brain and he had another crash again last week. Now he has been back on the ward and he is doing well. He is a big fighter.

"He wants to be a chef, a showjumper and a farmer. “More than anything he wants to go home. He keeps saying he wants to go to school.”

Mrs Nicholson added that friends, including Laura and Kev Hillyer, had given them a new understanding of what it meant to be a Ravenstonedale family.

She added: “When I first found out Adam had leukaemia, at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, I was shocked. Then after a few days I just sat and cried. I just turned on to autopilot.

“We just can’t believe how much support we have had. This has always been a community, but for the village to come together as they did was amazing.

“We want to make it back for the auction just to thank everyone.”

Since Adam’s diagnosis, Mrs Nicholson has stayed for free at the charity-run Ronald McDonald House, in Manchester, with husband Mark, 32, and nine-week-old Olivia.

The parents, who have had to pause their work at Claylands Farm, in Ravenstonedale, plan to donate half the auction funds to Ronald McDonald House.

Remaining donations will support travel expenses for the Nicholsons, who must endure several years of Manchester hospital treatment for Adam.