Little Heroes founder dedicates his star to children with cancer

Colin Nesbitt, who set up Little Heroes with businessman Billy Bingham in January, will dedicate a star to children in Bradford diagnosed with cancer.

He will also dedicate a star to four-year-old Reece Randall, who was diagnosed with leukaemia two weeks before his second birthday and treated on the children’s cancer ward at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

Mr Nesbitt, who is Reece’s carer, said: “While Reece was having treatment we were in hospital for 265 days. I saw some horrible things while we were there. I wanted to do something very special for these children.

“Every month I take £1,000 of toys to the hospital. That’s what Little Heroes is all about, to put a smile on children’s faces who are suffering from cancer. We have been told Reece has got a year left now so that drives me as well.”

The charity also aims to open within the next two years a day care centre in Bradford, which will have a sterile environment for children with limited immune systems, and is asking people to buy an extra toy at Christmas for a child in hospital. Toys can be left at The Gumption Centre in Glydegate.

Money raised in the Christmas Star Appeal will be divided between the causes supported by the Lord Mayor of Bradford’s Appeal, one of which is Little Heroes, the other being Bradford and District Senior Power, an organisation formed in 2005 for people aged 50 or above.

People who have donated a star, which will be displayed on a Christmas Tree at City Hall, will be invited on Monday, December 7, for a glass of wine and a mince pie with the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor John Godward.

Nominations should be sent on the form printed in tomorrow's Telegraph & Argus, with a £5 donation cheque, payable to The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, to The Editor’s Secretary, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, Bradford BD1 1JR. The closing date is Monday, November 30.

e-mail: hannah.baker@telegraphandargus.co.uk