A PARTY is to be thrown to thank the many people who donated their time and money towards the family of a young boy battling a brain tumour.

Bill Symonds is now enjoying life back home in Hereford just weeks after undergoing major surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

His parents Kate and Lee were told to expect the worst in March when an MRI scan revealed a brain tumour.

But 21-month-old Bill came through a seven-hour operation and, following countless tests, returned back to Portfields after a four-week stay in hospital.

Bill’s story touched the hearts of many people in Hereford who raised money for his self-employed parents and the Ronald McDonald House.

The house is a charity which provides free accommodation to parents, like Lee and Kate, whose children are undergoing treatment in a hospital far from home.

Car washes, music gigs, vintage fayres and curry nights raised several thousand in Bill’s name and, to show their appreciation for the support, Lee and Kate have organised a celebratory party at the Jailhouse Nightclub on May 17.

Lee, who is a manager at the nightspot, said: “We were away from home for four weeks but while we were away the Hereford community really came together with donations and support to a capacity I would not have believed possible.

“Things have started to settle down now, hopefully for good, so we are putting on this event as a thank you to everybody for their overwhelming kindness over the time we were away.”

Funk and soul will play on the night when entry will be free before 10 o’clock and there will be a free bar tab up to £500. A raffle will also be held to further support the Bill's Bills appeal.

The Symonds family hope that they may be able to sponsor a room - or two - at the Ronald McDonald House for a year. A total of £5,000 is needed to make this happen which would leave a permanent reminder of Bill's battle in the form of a plaque that would be erected on the room's wall thanking "the people of Hereford" for their support.

Lee said this would be another fitting way to mark a community's efforts.

But first there is a party to enjoy. “Come down and have a drink on us,” added Lee. “It would be good to meet some of you who have done such kind deeds and raise a glass together to toast my son’s health.”