COMMUNITY spirit was overflowing at a huge fundraiser in honour of schoolboy Ethan Browne.

Hundreds of supporters flocked to Little Lever School on Saturday for a charity fun day to raise money for cancer care at Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Ethan, aged 13, of Second Avenue, Little Lever, was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year and will have to undergo weekly courses of drugs and chemotherapy over a three-year treatment plan.

His big-hearted uncle, David Tildsley, and his wife, Sarah, were the ones who dreamed up the event.

Mr Tildsley said: "It was coming up to my 40th birthday but with what has happened with Ethan, I wasn't too keen to celebrate it. My wife suggested we turn it into a fundraising event and it just escalated from there."

A fun fair, stalls, games, snacks and a bucking bronco - along with the sunny weather - drew the crowds to Ethan's school.

"There was a great turnout and we're so grateful to everyone who has come along to support it," said Ethan's dad, Ben.

"None of this would have happened without Dave and Sarah."

Ethan's mum, Emma, added: "It was absolutely amazing! Ethan was looking forward to it but he was a little overwhelmed by it all."

On the sporting front there was a rounders match and an under-13 football tournament.

A team from the school took on Queens Rounders Team and WMB Rounders Team, while seven teams took part in the soccer tournament.

One of the players was Ethan's cousin, Bailey Tildsley, aged 13, who has shaved his hair to show solidarity with Ethan.

Later on there was an adult match which was a battle of the brother-in-laws as Mr Tildsley and Mr Browne captained opposing teams.

The fundraising is set to continue with Mrs Browne doing a sponsored skydive next month and Mr Browne taking on the Yorkshire Marathon on 14 October.

To donate to either of the charity events visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-browne5 OR https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-browne1.