A COMMUNITY rallied round to provide a day to remember for a young boy who is battling cancer.

Hundreds flocked to a summer fete held on Cockerton Green to raise money for Darlington six-year-old Mark Hammond who was diagnosed with a rare type of cancerous brain tumour in April.

Mark arrived at the event in style riding aboard a fire engine, and a host of activities took place throughout the day including games, a bouncy castle, a raffle and refreshments.

Mark’s parents Hannah and Dean said they were left speechless by the support shown for the event, which was organised by family friends Louise Davies and Beth McAllister.

A total of £3,853 was raised, which will be used to treat Mark to a holiday, or pay for specialist treatment in America if his condition cannot be improved in England.

Ms Davies said: “We’ve just been absolutely overwhelmed by the support from the community.

“From the scouts lending us gazebos, to the Methodist Church giving us a key to use their toilets and water, to all the ladies in the tea tent who helped out voluntarily; it has just been amazing.”

Ms Davies and Mark’s family wished to thank everybody involved in making the event such as success, including all the Darlington businesses that donated raffle prizes.