A PUB in Bradford is holding a fundraising event this weekend to send a young boy on a trip of a lifetime after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The Woodman Inn pub is raising money for nine-year-old Alfie Hughes from Woodside, Bradford, who was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative condition called acute cerebellum ataxia, which is so advanced there is no treatment.

The event will raise money towards a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to Disneyland for Alfie and his younger sisters Molly, eight, and Harlow, 17 months.

Alfie’s mum, Sophie Hughes, 28, said: “My son’s got a life-limited illness. There’s no treatment for it so we’re trying to raise money to get him to Disneyland.

“I said to the kids we might miss Christmas this year but it would be a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true, we don’t know how long we have Alfie.”

They need to raise £5,000 to cover travel costs and Alfie's health insurance, but Sophie said she only put £3,000 on Gofundme because she didn’t want to look ‘cheeky’.

“Alfie has had the condition for a few years but only got a diagnosis from the hospital around six weeks ago,” Sophie added.

She said: “I took him into hospital in June because he could hardly walk or talk, they ran a few tests and they said I might never get a diagnosis for it, but when they spoke to other hospitals, they found that he’s got acute cerebellum ataxia so there’s no treatment at all.”

“Maybe if the diagnosis was picked up earlier, something could’ve been done.

 “He’s deaf in one ear now, he can only walk about four steps and he can hardly eat properly, he’s losing his memory and things like that as well. “

Alfie was discharged from Bradford Royal Infirmary on Monday, September 13, and is now on the ‘palliative care pathway to keep him comfortable and stable at home with a limited life expectancy.’

The family is hoping to go away after Christmas this year, as that will be the most ‘magical time to go to Disneyland’, Sophie added.

The fundraising event will take place on Saturday, September 18 from 12 o’clock until 4 pm at The Woodman Inn Pub on Manchester Road, Bradford.

There will be DJs, a tombola, raffles, cake sales, and kids’ entertainment at the event.

Small local businesses are also welcomed to set up a stall at the event in exchange for a £10 donation. 

Event organiser, James Lynch said: “I heard the story and so did the landlady of the pub so we thought we needed to do something about it as they live locally. 

“We’ll be doing the kids’ party dances on the day, there will be live singers and a big raffle,  I just want to make sure the kids and everyone have fun. A lot of people are being really generous, so it’s going to be one big family fun day.”

Sophie added: “ I just want ‘thank everyone that’s been supportive and helped us, and all the donations and put even a pound towards it. 

“Being a single mum of three I’d have never been able to do this.  I’m really hopeful we can make Alfie’s dreams come true.”

To donate, visit: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ha6ec-hajaj