LITTLE Ryan Cottrell received a bumper cheque for £13,356 - and then handed over a letter of thanks to generous Observer readers.
He touchingly wrote: "I would just like to say a big thank-you to all the people who have been busy raising money for me to go and meet Santa in Lapland.
"I am going to have a great time in the snow and meeting Santa's helpers, and it's all thanks to lots of people who were touched to read my story.
"I will make sure I send a postcard to the Observer for everyone to see. A very big hug and a big thank-you."
We launched a campaign to help eight-year-old Ryan, who suffers from an incurable skin condition, after exclusively revealing his heartbreaking story.
Our original target was just £6,000 but the final cheque, handed over this week, was more than double that amount.
Ryan, of Carter Street, Accrington, will go to Lapland with his family in time for Christmas.
