GENEROUS fundraisers are backing a critically-ill toddler whose dream trip to Disneyland came under threat after thieves stole his charity collection box.

Members of the Miles for Men charity, in Hartlepool, are to man a stall at Asda, in Bishop Auckland, in aid of Mason Campion.

The three-year-old youngster, of Hunwick, near to Bishop Auckland, suffers from an aggressive form of cancer which was initially found in his brain but which has since spread to his spine.

A charity box containing £200 which was raised for Mason and his family was stolen from Crumbs Snack Bar, in Evenwood, near to Bishop Auckland, along with a tip jar holding about £60, in January.

This is the latest scheme to help to replace the stolen money. Fundraisers have already collected enough to pay for the holiday.

The Miles for Men appeal is to cover the family’s spending money while they are on the trip.

Kevin Hill, an organiser with the charity, said: “It’s fantastic what people have done for Mason and we wanted to get involved.

“You have to feel for Mason and his family. We want to do anything that we can to help the family and hopefully we can raise a lot of money.

“We will give half of what we raise to Mason and the other half will go to other charities.”

Charity members will sell goods, including sweatshirts, waterbottles and bumbags, at Asda on Saturday (February 22) between 9.30am and 5pm.