Members of a Cross Hills weight-loss group are staging an 11-mile sponsored walk to help a young Keighley cancer sufferer.

Pauline Howard, along with at least 20 members of her Slimming World group, aim to trek along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath from Crossflatts to Skipton next month.

They will be raising money to support eight-year-old Callum Ingham, from Parkwood Rise, who has an aggressive form of childhood cancer, known as neuroblastoma.

Callum’s family may have to look abroad for treatment not available on the NHS, which could cost £500,000 or more.

Pauline, who lives in Cross Hills, said she and her slimming-class members read about Callum’s plight in the Keighley News.

“We discussed it as a group and decided we wanted to do something to help,” she said. “We don’t have a date for the walk confirmed yet, though it will be a Saturday in March.

“We also want to do a fundraising coffee morning on another day.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with the organisation’s efforts can contact Pauline on 07861 701760.

Support for Callum’s appeal is continuing to grow. More than £860 has now been donated via a Just Giving website. And several fundraising activities are being planned.

Sarah Ingham, an aunt of Callum, is having her head shaved during a special fun day in aid of the youngster at Keighley Salvation Army in High Street on February 25, from 11am to 3pm. And her 14-year-old daughter, Katie, a pupil at Oakbank School in Keighley, will have her hair dyed at the same time.

Attractions will include a bouncy castle, face-painting, balloon modelling, a guess-the-name-of-the-teddy competition and possibly street dancers.

People wishing to sponsor the mum and daughter can do so through Face-book or call 07811 975352.

Callum’s family has received support from the charity Families Against Neuroblastoma, which is backing the fundraising appeal.

People can donate to the fund via justgiving.com/CallumInghamAppeal or by texting CALL77 and the amount – between £1 and £10 – to 70070.

Contact our newsroom via e-mail at alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk or call (01535) 606611 (option three) to promote your event. Visit familiesagainstneuroblastoma.org for further information about neuroblastoma.