SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid met inmates and staff at a young offenders' institution to congratulate them on their fundraising effort for a sick boy.

Everyone at Deerbolt, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, has been touched by the plight of Alyson Herbert's family.

Her son, Edward George Herbert, died aged seven in June. He was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in May last year, a condition which means the bone marrow ceases to produce blood.

He underwent months of treatment, which included having to live in a "bubble" isolation unit for his own protection.

But after countless x-rays, scans, operations, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, Edward lost his fight for life after contracting a virus.

After Edward's second transplant, tests confirmed that his four-year-old brother, Alex, also had the condition. Recently, he underwent a bone marrow transplant after finding a match with his older brother, Michael.

Deerbolt, where Mrs Herbert is a librarian, has staged fundraising events for the Bubble Appeal, including a sponsored head shave.

Yesterday, Mr Reid met those involved in the fundraising, and presented £2,200 to Mrs Herbert and appeal coordinator Gill Johnson.

There was also a signed Sunderland football for Michael.

Mrs Herbert said: "I have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support and goodwill sent to me from all departments of Deerbolt."