Kindhearted Billericay businesses have been praised for their help in a huge fundraiser for a disabled youngster.

Officers at Billericay police station are busy raising funds for 14-year-old Simon Larn, of Burlington Court, Basildon.

They are hoping to raise around £4,000 to provide him with a modern transit-style van to take him to his special needs school in Walthamstow.

Fundraisers appealed for businesses to make donations to a raffle for the fund - and say they have been inundated with offers of prizes.

One business, Marlin Fitted Bathrooms in Meadow Rise, have donated a £2,500 bathroom suite to the appeal, which will be raffled separately.

Manchester United and Arsenal football clubs have already sent signed merchandise after organisers wrote to all the Premiership teams telling them about the appeal.

Mike Long has joined Billericay community liaison officer PC Kevin Hopton in organising the appeal.

He said: "The way things are going is brilliant and we want to give a big thank-you to all those who are taking part - the businesses in the High Street have been absolutely wonderful.

"We want to give them a quality of life they haven't had so far - they've been in and out of hospital for many years.

"We have set ourselves a bottom line of raising a couple of thousand pounds but haven't set a top line - the sky's the limit."

A 24-hour bowlathon takes place at the Edwardian Club in Radford Way on February 20.

Organisers are also hoping to arrange a cricket match and darts marathon to swell the fund.

Raffle tickets go on sale next week and organisers are still looking for sponsors and competitors for the bowlathon. Call Mr Long on 01277 623127.

Special - Simon Larn

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