CHILDREN suffering from cancer will benefit from fundraising inspired by a "very brave" little boy.

Family and friends of Guy Metcalfe, who was four years old when he died last October, have raised almost £20,000 for the children's cancer charity Candlelighters in his memory.

The money will pay for more than 130 Candlelighter grants, to help families at Christmas.

Guy, who lived with his parents Tracey and James in Malton, was diagnosed with T-Cell leukaemia in August in 2014 and underwent intensive chemotherapy.

The youngster was in remission from leukaemia when he was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and died shortly before his fifth birthday.

Last month a team of 26 completed the Great North Run, with three of them, including Guy's dad, then cycling almost 90 miles home.

James said: "It was a very emotional day, as we all had a photo of Guy on our vests, but it was also a really good day as we had such brilliant support from everyone.

"I managed to complete the run in one hour and 43 minutes and then cycled back to Malton with Adrian Tolhurst, who owns Direct Imaging, in Malton, and Paul Tyler, from Ryedale Plumbers,in just over six hours."

James said it had been amazing what people had achieved, including Ian Brown, of Ian Brown Tyres, who raised around £6,500.

"We want to thank everyone for what they have done. Guy was a very brave little boy and inspired a lot of people by standing up to cancer," he said.

"Guy was an amazing son and always saw the best in everybody. He never complained and just got on with it."

James and Tracey have also attended a special tree-planting ceremony at St Mary's Primary School, in Malton, which Guy attended.

"We have been very touched by what St Mary's has done. Guy loved going to school and being with his classmates," he said.

"Everyone has been very kind and we are very grateful - we certainly don't want Guy to ever be forgotten - he was a very special little boy."

Julie Kirton, deputy headteacher at St Mary's Primary School said: "The children and staff of St Mary's wanted to do something special in memory of Guy.

"We thought an apple tree would blossom every year and that would keep the memory of him alive in our hearts."