The mother of a five-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare genetic condition said she was “gobsmacked” by the amount of money raised in his honour by his former nursery.

Little Jack Starkey was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome and has been in and out of Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) all his life having treatment to help his heart.

Although he has now moved on to Glusburn Primary School, his former comrades at Bridge House Day Nursery, in Steeton, have raised a whopping £1,400 for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, at LGI, on his behalf.

The money was raised after friends and family sponsored children from the nursery to do a wellie walk around Steeton green. Pupils at the nursery’s after-school club also held a sponsored wellie wanging competition to add to the money pot.

Suzanne Starkey, Jack’s mum, who lives in Cowling, said: “The amount is just amazing. As parents we think it is fantastic that people can raise so much money. It seems that Jack touches people’s hearts.”

Co-owner of Bridge House, Liz Balding, is also the president of Keighley Rotary Club and has nominated the LGI heart surgery fund as one of her chosen charities of the year. She said: “We hoped to raise £200 to £300 at the nursery but the money just kept coming in. This is down to the parents, friends and other family members who sponsored the children — we are simply lost for words.”

Sharon Cheng, from the LGI Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, accepted the money and said it would go towards buying a £130,000 3D Echo machine for monitoring pregnant women and the hearts of babies without causing them any pain.

Mrs Starkey is also planning to hold a Valentine’s Day ball, at Victoria Hall, Keighley, in February, to raise money for the same cause.

Tickets are £12.50. For more information, call Nursery Corner on 01535 600805.