Cupar leukaemia boy's charity event saved by celebrity

A 10 year-old cancer sufferer who faced cancelling his charity event because he'd only sold 17 tickets has been overwhelmed by support including from sports presenter Gabby Logan.

Toby Etheridge with mum Alison. Toby has sold 85 tickets to his charity ball, after support from the online community and sports presenter Gabby Logan. Image: Stephen Brown

People have been snapping up tickets for Toby Etheridge’s £5000 ball after hearing that the leukaemia sufferer had struggled to sell the £40 seats.

Among them is sports presenter Gabby Logan, who saw nationwide coverage of his plight and tweeted that she had bought two tickets.

A DeLorean car made famous in the Back to the Future films has also been donated for the night.

Toby’s delighted mum Alison said her son was just delighted the Toby’s 1st Magical Ball event can now go ahead after more than 85 tickets sold in the last 24 hours.

Confirming the ball in Cupar, where the family live, will go ahead, Alison said: “Toby is over moon!”

The event, including a dinner cooked by MasterChef: The Professionals winner Jamie Scott, is among a series of events Toby has staged to raise money for CLIC Sargent since his diagnosis with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2014.

His heroic efforts for the charity which helps children and young people with cancer and his battle with the disease have been charted on his own Facebook page, Toby’s Magical Journey to be Cancer Free.

Alison said: “We have been overwhelmed with comments and offers of support that have flooded in through Toby’s Facebook page.

“It just shows you there are many kind-hearted people out there.”

This time last week only 17 tickets had been sold but now more than 85 have gone.

Gabby is unable to attend the event on March 5 but has offered her tickets to anyone who can prove they have already bought two.

The car loan was pledged by DeLorean Hire Scotland, which was eager to support Toby’s work for the charity.

Toby hopes to raise £5,000 for CLIC Sargent, which has supported him and his family during his treatment.

He has a CLIC Sargent nurse and when he is in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh the charity also provides a play therapist.

Toby’s dad Richie is to cycle the coast of Brazil in September to help him to his target.

Following his diagnosis, Toby missed several months at St Columba’s Primary School but returned last September.

He has another two years of chemotherapy ahead of him.