A MASSIVE fund-raising drive in aid of a young Worcester boy has been launched with the help of his grandparents.

Linda Gormley and Cherry Jones let 200 balloons off at a youth activity day in Brickfields Park, Tolladine, to raise money for Marshall Gormley, the three-year-old boy who suffered a rare perforation of the bowel after contracting cancer.

The youngster, who is from Warndon, has had 35 operations in eight months because of the condition. He is believed to be the only child in the world to have survived it. A raffle and a tabletop sale were also held in Marshall's honour during the fun day, held last Friday. A total of £487 was raised.

Organiser Wendy Freer, the youth development worker on Tolladine, said: "Everyone was so generous and were giving more than the £1 donation we were asking for with the balloons.

"It was a marvellous day and I hope everyone's efforts can go some way to helping Marshall." His parents have appealed to Worcester News' readers for enough money to buy a car to take Marshall out on day-trips.

He has been in Birmingham Children's Hos-pital since December 20 last year, but on his good days, can now go out for a few hours. His parents can't afford a car and this is why they are appealing for people's help. Their plight has caught the attention of the national Press, but so far, the appeal has raised just over £500, not including Friday's event. Anna Mapp, Mars-hall's mother, spoke on Friday as the youngster went into theatre for his 35th operation. She said: "We are really disappointed by the response. I've seen appeals before and they have raised a lot more.

"Marshall seems to have got worse recently, but we need people's help."

A special bank account has been set up in Marshall's name and donations should be made out him and sent to: The Marshall Gormley Appeal, 24 Birch Avenue, Tolladine, Worcester.