WHEN one 12-year-old schoolboy heard that one of his fellow schoolmates had been diagnosed with leukaemia, he decided to do what he could to help out.

Year 11 St Cuthbert's student Matthew Lee was struck with the devastating diagnosis and has been receiving treatment at Alder Hey Hospital.

Fifteen-year-old Matthew, from Parr, has undergone an operation at Alder Hey and has responded well to treatment. With the condition having been caught early, his family are hopeful that he is on the way to recovery.

And when Matthew's school was informed of his illness, kind-hearted year eight pupil Adam Brennan decided to help by selling specially made ribbons to help Matthew's family.

"When Adam was younger he had to spend some time in Alder Hey and he's aware of the cost when you have a child in hospital," said St Cuthbert's head of school, Cath Twist.

"So he has taken it on himself to make some ribbons. He wasn't really a friend of Matthew's but spoke to a friend of his and talked to his mum.

"He asked if he could sell them around school and the message is going around to everybody and round the local community.

"His mum has been giving him a helping hand and September is teenage cancer month as well. He saw the yellow ribbons on TV and decided to put it with maroon to make them St Cuthbert's colours. There are lots of other people helping now. The ribbons are going great and he is still selling them round school."

Matthew's mum, Sharon added: "He is on the road to recovery and I'd like to mention the support the family has had from St Cuthbert's and the people of Parr and St Helens."