A brave youngster who is the face of our appeal to raise £20,000 for a children’s centre was rushed to hospital last week.

Three-year-old Finley Rosbotham was suffering breathing difficulties on October 2 and his temperature rocketed to 40.5 degrees.

The toddler, who has cerebral palsy and was born with part of his brain undeveloped, had a heart rate of 210 and was later diagnosed with Croupe, a common ailment in youngsters that causes breathing problems.

Mum Kelly said the youngster was given steroids and is now back at nursery and recovering well.

She said: “It was horrible, it was the worst thing I’ve been through in my life.

“Finley is back to his cheeky self now though and he’s much better.”

Finley returned to nursery on Monday.

Meanwhile Asda in Accrington has named our Finley’s Friends Appeal as one of its Green Token Charities for October meaning it is in the running for a £500 boost.

Tokens are given out at the checkout with purchases and people can put them into the pot of their chosen charity.

The charity with the most support at the end of the month will receive £500 and the others will receive £50.

Finley’s mum Kelly said she was delighted the appeal had been chosen.

She said: “We’re only a little charity and we’re up against really big charities but £500 would be amazing, it would go a long way.”

And around 30 people have signed up for a bike ride from Accrington to Blackpool on October 28.

Finley’s dad Ivan and siblings Paige and Mackenzie along with other volunteers will take on the 40-mile ride to raise funds for our appeal.

They are being supported by Altons fruit and veg stall in Accrington Market who are organising the ride and have recruited youngsters from a local youth group to join in.

The ride is £5 per child and £10 per adult and participants can also get sponsors.

Kelly added that she and Finley and his twin sister Ellie would be following the riders in a car to cheer them on.

Kelly has also organised a Christmas fair at Accrington Town Hall on December 15.

Stalls are £10 each and six have already been booked.

Anyone wanting one can contact Kelly via the appeal Facebook page or by emailing kelroso@googlemail.com .

Holly House Appeal

The Accrington Observer is trying to raise £20,000 for Holly House in Accrington which supports disabled youngsters.

We are raising money for specialist IT equipment to support the children at the Blackburn Road centre.

And we need your help.

We want you to hold fundraising events to help us reach our target or to donate a portion of money raised from other charity events.

The centre helped three-year-old Finley Rosbotham learn to walk and talk after he was born with part of his brain missing.

If you want to join our appeal for Holly House call the news desk on 0161 211 2977, email accrington observer@menmedia.co.uk or contact us by post at Accrington Observer, MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 8EF.

You can also pop into our office at Unit 3 of Accrington Market Hall.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘ELHT Charitable Funds Account’ with the Finley’s Friends Appeal written on the back.

Finley’s family have started a Facebook group entitled Finley’s Friends at Holly House Fundraising page and a Twitter feed @finrosbotham so you can follow the progress of the fundraising.

 You can also donate online at http://charitygiving.co.uk/finleyrosbotham .