THE MOTHER of a young boy who was diagnosed with leukaemia is to hold her second Pink and Sparkle charity night.

Michelle Pattison has been fundraising for children's cancer charity Candlelighters since her nine-year-old son Owen was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia shortly before Christmas 2014.

Last year's Pink and Sparkle night in Menston was her biggest fundraising event so far, and it was so successful she decided to make it an annual event.

Now she is planning her second extravaganza at Horsforth Cricket Club on April 8.

She said: "Last year's event was such a success, I hope this year's will be bigger and better and I will hopefully raise more than the £3,000 last year. I would like to get up to £4,000 this year."

She said £25 tickets include food, a live band, a photo booth, and a great time guaranteed - along with the chance to help an amazing charity.

Michelle, of Yeadon, has secured sponsorship from three local businesses - Zen Rendezvous, Woodhall Garden Services and All Areas Maintenance. She would also welcome donations for the auction and raffle. To buy tickets or make a donation ring 07544018433.

Owen, who attends Yeadon Westfield Junior School, initially underwent intensive chemotherapy before going onto maintenance treatment, which consists of daily oral chemo at home and monthly chemo at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

He is now doing "brilliantly", according to his mum, and has a little more than a year of treatment left.

Last year, Michelle described the support her family had received from Candlelighters and the invaluable help the charity gave to other families.

"Candlelighters helped us from the moment Owen was diagnosed – the play team sat with Owen while the doctors told us the devastating news," she said.

"They send families on little holidays every year, which cost on average £800 per family. The play team works so hard, especially in the first few weeks when it’s difficult to get children to take medicines and have different procedures done, which for us was a lot in the first few weeks."

Owen, who has five brothers, teamed up with them all last year for a photoshoot in aid of a campaign to help fund research into the disease.

The boys took part in the Britain's Biggest Breakfast campaign organised by Cancer Research UK.

In September, Michelle received a Candlelighters award for her fundraising.