A GARELOCHHEAD youth group held an out-of-this-world Star Wars themed party last weekend in aid of a local boy diagnosed with leukaemia.

Centre 81 held the disco event on Saturday, September 29 to raise funds for William Young and his mum Leann.

Six-year-old William was recently diagnosed with stage four Burkitts lymphoma/leukaemia but has since “kicked cancer’s butt” and is now in remission.

Route 81 senior volunteers had the idea to hold the fund-raiser and met regularly throughout September, committing many volunteering hours, planning and organising the big event.

On the day they were supported by 19 young volunteers from the youth project to ensure its success and around 100 visitors had fun on the bouncy castle, made light sabres, enjoyed tasty cakes and tried their luck in the raffle, all of which was organised by the young helpers.

The community and businesses of Garelochhead, Rosneath Peninsula and Helensburgh rallied behind the young people, gifting a variety of prizes for their raffle and cake stall.

Amie and Neil Young came along on behalf of their nephew William and were presented with a gift by the senior volunteers.

William’s mum Leann was told that the young people had raised £407.45, and she responded: “Wow! That is fantastic! We would like to thank everyone who made the event happen and attended the disco today for all the donations.

“I am totally overwhelmed with the help and support I have received from the whole community since William’s diagnosis.

“We had hoped that William would be able to attend the event but unfortunately his blood counts were not high enough and the risk of infection was just too high.

“William would’ve loved the theme. Thank you again for everything you guys have done for us.”

Senior volunteer Martin Brabender added: “It was such a great event, everyone worked hard to make it the best we could and it was great to see it turn out as successful as it did, especially since it was for such a great cause. I wish William all the best.”

Michelle Macdonald, Route 81 manager, said: “It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to be able to do something for Leann and William.

“Their journey has been a difficult one over the past few months and as a community we could only stand by and watch.

“The young people at Route 81 just wanted to do something positive for them both, and the community really got behind us.

“To be able to do something for them both was good for us all.”