THE young godmother of a little boy with a unique medical condition hopes to raise thousands of pounds towards his treatment through an "auction of promises".
Ashleigh Monks is organising the event to raise funds for five-year-old Harvey Hext, from Winford, pictured right.
The youngster is believed to be the only child in the world with Down's syndrome and neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that attacks the nervous system. His twin brother Spencer also has Down's syndrome and is likely to contract the same condition.
Ashleigh, 17, has contacted dozens of businesses across the Bristol area to donate prizes towards her auction, which she hopes to hold at the Woodspring Golf Club in early August.
So far she has been given more than £1,500 of prizes, including a trip on the Bristol Packet Boat, a chiminea, a night for two at a Hilton Hotel, inflated balloons, tickets to Legoland and a week's holiday in Brean.
A number of B&Q DIY stores have also raised almost £1,000 through face painting and selling wrist bands, and are hosting a charity football match for Harvey on May 20.
Ashleigh, an A-level pupil at Chew Valley School who lives just a few doors away from Harvey, is the youngster's godmother because her mum Jess Weeks and Harvey's mum Sarah were close school friends.
Ashleigh said: "I have been to lots of fundraising events where people have done things for Harvey, but never a really big event.
"I am quite good at organising things and said to my mum I wanted to do something serious for him, and set myself a target of £5,000. I decided on the auction of promises because my aunt had raised lots of money from one before.
"We sent out about 200 letters and emails to businesses and then we delivered some to shops in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. We are really grateful that lots of businesses have got involved, and B&Q have been fantastic with all their help, but we are also looking for smaller items like cakes or chocolates to make the auction a longer event.
"Harvey is such a lovely boy and I would happily put in any time I had for him. He is never sad about his condition and is always happy, and he just deserves to have the money raised for him."
Jenny Rees, from B&Q in Hartcliffe, said: "After receiving a touching letter from Ashleigh we felt compelled to help, and I have contacted all of the Bristol stores and regional managers to get them involved in the fundraising. We have already raised nearly £700 through face painting, have planned some sponsored walks, and myself and another HR adviser will also be running the Bristol Half Marathon for Harvey.
"We also hope to raise around £300 from a charity football event at Action Indoor Sports in Whitchurch on May 20."
Hundreds of people across Bristol have held dozens of events to help raise the £300,000 needed to send Harvey to Germany or America for treatment. To help, visit www.bmycharity.com/HarveyHextAppeal.
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