THE family of a six-year-old killed in a road accident have raised £6,000 for the nurses who cared for him three years ago.

Matthew Thompson, of Lomax Street, Great Harwood, died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, following an accident involving his bicycle while playing near his home.

As a thank-you to the doctors and nurses who cared for Matthew, his family started an appeal to raise funds for the hospital.

Matthew's grandfather, Allan Lowe, of Earl Street, Great Harwood, helped to organise the fund-raising.

Mr Lowe took part in a sponsored walk from Blackpool to his home town and also arranged charity bowling matches at his Rushton Street club, where the cheque presentation was made.

Matthew's twin sister, Andrea, and her fellow pupils at St Charles's Primary School, Rishton, also staged fund-raising events and concerts.

And she helped hand over the cheque to nurses from the hospital at a special presentation.

Some of the money raised during the appeal is also being donated to the school.

Mr Lowe said: "The nurses at Pendlebury did the best they could for Matthew and we wanted to say thank-you in some way.

"Matthew's mum, Debbie, wanted to show her appreciation for what they had done and we decided to start an appeal and formed a small committee.

"The money came in thick and fast at first but as time as gone on it has got harder to get people to support us, but we still plan to carry on raising as much money as can."

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