Bradford firefighters have pushed a fundraising appeal nearer to its £10,000 target by handing over a cheque for £800 to help a youngster who needs pioneering treatment for autism.

The Jude Barker Appeal is aiming to raise the money to allow Jude to go to the Son-Rise Options Institute in Massachusetts, with the aim of reversing some of the effects of autism through tailored sessions and sensory therapy.

His mother, Jemma Barker, 24, of Clayton Road, Great Horton, started the appeal in March last year for her eldest son and thanks to support from the people of Bradford, more than £8,000 has already been raised.

Jemma and Jude, four, visited firefighters in Blue Watch at their new station in Leeds Road to thank them for the money, which was raised at a dance last year to mark the closure of the Nelson Street station.

The mum-of-two, who also has a younger son, Theo, aged 20 months, said: "£800 is such a lot of money for them to donate and I would like to say a massive thank-you to them.

"The firefighters and their families have been really fantastic."

Jude is a candidate for the pioneering treatment because he is young. Jemma hopes the programme will encourage him to start speaking and help his development, which is already being surpassed by his younger brother.

About £6,500 is needed for Jude to attend an intense ten-day programme at the institute, which is booked for April, 2008.

A further £3,500 is needed for a portable building which will be placed in the family's garden in Clayton Road.

Jemma will need to secure planning permission for the building which will become Jude's sensory and play room on which the programme is based.

The money from Bradford firefighters is the latest in a line of donations from kind-hearted people.

Bradford Park Avenue players have taken part in charity football match and Jemma has organised charity nights.