The family of eight-year-old Wilsden schoolboy Aaron Bennett, struck down by a brain haemorrhage last year, have raised nearly £5,000 in his memory.

His parents Andrew and Angela Bennett, and his 11-year-old sister Arlene, have been joined by friends and well-wishers in Wilsden - and even complete strangers - in their fundraising campaign.

Devastated by Aaron's sudden death last August, they threw themselves into fundraising efforts as a thank you to Leeds General Infirmary, where staff in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) fought hard to save his life.

The money raised so far - £4,700 - will pay for a special bed for the unit, costing £1,900, and a particular type of mattress needed for very poorly children looked after there, costing £2,750.

Mrs Bennett said: "We are pleased we raised enough money for both pieces of equipment in time for what would have been Aaron's ninth birthday.

"Staff at the hospital can't believe we raised the money so quickly. People have been very generous and it's nice for them to know where the money is going."

The family have organised their own events to raise the cash, including a craft fayre at Wilsden Conservative Club, but other local organisations have joined in by arranging their own fundraisers.

Donations have come from staff and regulars at the Ling Bob pub, and Wilsden Methodist and United Reformed Church. Children at Beckfoot Grammar School in Bingley contributed £100 and another donation was made by the parents' association at Bradford Grammar School.

Amanda Bennett, fundraiser for the Children's Centre Appeal at the LGI, said: "It's a terrible tragedy that Aaron died, but such a lot of good things have come out of it. It is a magnificent sum to raise, a really large amount, and the Children's Centre Appeal can't thank Mr and Mrs Bennett enough."

The family have pledged to continue fundraising for the PICU. Events in the pipeline include a raffle to win a ball donated by rugby star Jonah Lomu, a Spice Girls disco and a mountain biking event on the anniversary of Aaron's death in August.

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