A BOY remembered his sister who died of a rare genetic disorder by taking part in a 24-hour fundraising drumathon in her honour.

Sean Whiting, ten, played in the fundraising event in Baildon, held partly in memory of his sister Grace Whiting, seven, who lost her brave battle with a rare genetic disorder which only affects around two people in the UK every year.

Their mother, Layna Harding, 31, of Oakfield Drive, Baildon, said she was proud of Sean’s efforts, as part of the drumathon, held at the Baildon Club, Northgate, from 7pm on Tuesday, and has so far raised more than £2,800 for the Martin House Hospice charity, based in Wetherby.

The event saw around 45 people aged from six to their 60s perform over the course of the 24 hours, which was double the length of last year’s annual fundraiser.

It was also held to raise funds for Grace Hitchens, 12, of Eldwick, who suffers from Niemann-Pick disease and receives respite care at the hospice and attended the event.

Meanwhile, Grace Whiting, who died in February this year, was born with Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, a life-limiting metabolic condition which caused her cells to die rather than re-charge. It affected her sight and hearing.

Her brother Sean became an online drumming sensation in August this year after he taught himself his favourite songs by watching YouTube videos of his idols, including ‘Sweet Child O’Mine’ by Guns ‘N’ Roses.

Miss Harding said: “It was really good and went really well. A lot of people turned up to the drumathon and Sean did a drum battle with one of the other instructors. It has not got a grand total yet.”

The Drumathon was organised by Sean’s first drum instructor, Steve Jannetta, who said it was a fantastic day.

He said: “We had children playing ten drums when they should have been in bed.”

During Grace Whiting’s short life, the youngster was in and out of Martin House Hospice which became “a happy place” for Grace and her doting family.

Doctors had expected Grace to deteriorate from birth but she defied their expectations despite her problems and developmental delay.

Friends and well-wishers had helped Grace’s family over the years to raise money for a sensory room for Grace as well as money for Martin House Hospice, which supported her family.

Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/gracedrumathon to make a donation.