CHILDREN fighting cancer are to benefit from charity events supported by Arriva Trains Northern employees.

More than £900 was gathered in fundraising raffles in York and Newcastle, which were inspired by conductor training manager Les Turnbull.

His grandson Reece, now four, underwent an operation to remove a tumour initially the size of a tennis ball.

Six months of chemotherapy reduced the tumour and it was removed this year.

Mr Turnbull, who is based in York, said: "He is doing brilliantly and making an excellent recovery. He lost his hair during treatment, as well as his eyebrows and eyelashes.

"Over the last four weeks, his hair has started to shoot out again, and he keeps touching his eyebrows and saying 'they're growing'."

Mr Turnbull presented £472 each to the Candlelighters, which supports children with cancer, and to the Sick Children's Trust.

The trust runs Eckersley House, a home for parents needing to be near youngsters being treated at St James' Hospital, in Leeds.

Mr Turnbull said: "Support from everyone in organising the raffles, helping with prizes and buying tickets has been brilliant. It is a great Christmas present for two superb charities."