AN ASTONISHING £11,000 has now been raised to help send Ryan Cottrell, the eight-year-old Accrington boy with an incurable skin disease, on the holiday of a lifetime.

Observer readers have done Hyndburn proud, rallying round to surpass all expections in raising the huge sum.

Our original target of £6,000 is certain to be doubled by the time all the money has come in.

It's just three weeks since we issued a plea to clubs, pubs, community groups and businesses to boost our campaign to send Ryan on a magical Christmas break to meet Santa in Lapland.

The response has been simply overwhelming.

Our special account for Ryan, who suffers from the excruciating skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa, now stands at £11,118.

More fund-raising events have been organised until December and we will continue to report on the colourful exploits of Hyndburn's many charitable folk.

But, with cash ready to give to Ryan's parents, we are now scaling down the appeal and we are not asking for any more donations or organised events.

Ryan's mum Amanda said from the family home in Carter Street, Accrington: "We never imagined the appeal would do so well. We've always known Hyndburn people are very generous but the way everyone has rallied round has continued to surprise us.

"As well as Ryan, his dad Shaun and I want everyone to know that we are very proud of their efforts and, as always, it is hard to put our appreciation into words. Our warmest thanks go to everyone who has given money or played a part in a fund-raiser."

Future events for Ryan's Appeal include a sponsored no-swearing day by Jackie Gregson, 38, of Stockley Sweets in Oswaldtwistle tomorrow; an auction at Oswaldtwistle Mills next Thursday; a Halloween party in the upstairs function room of Si restaurant in Blackburn Road, Accrington, next Friday; a sponsored fun day and chest wax at the Accrington Stanley function room on 7 November; a charity car wash at Baxenden Autowash on 20 November; and a family night at the Brooks Club in Accrington on 1 December.

This week's big donations were £275 from employees at Woodnook Mill and £120 from Automotive Applied Technologies. Other donations were: £10 anonymous; £20 from R and J Barnes, of Blackburn; £25 from J T & G; £40 from Stall Six of Blackburn Market; £11.65 anonymous; and £30 from the Friendship Club.