More than £20,000 has been raised by staff at a regional daily to help send a young boy battling cancer on a series of unforgettable adventures.

Five-year-old Charlie Ryan was given less than 12 months to live by doctors unless he goes through expensive, painful and uncertain clinical trials in Germany, which could cost up to £400,000.

So when he and his parents, Sam Stroud and Tony Ryan, brought him back to England from their new home in Australia, staff at the Norwich Evening News launched a Charlie’s Angels campaign to encourage people to donate experiences of money.

As well as the £20,000 raised, a host of days out were donated, including a helicopter flight and the chance to get behind the wheel of a multi-million pound racing car.

The youngster also got the chance to be a Norwich City mascot during his three-week UK visit.

Evening News editor Nigel Pickover told HTFP: “This was wonderful example of  community spirit linked with the power of the regional press. Assistant editor David Powles drove this Evening News special – we were all astonished how much goodwill came our way. We were all very moved by this.”

More than £20,000 was raised by an Archant Norfolk campaign for five-year-old cancer sufferer Charlie Ryan, pictured with his parents Sam Stroud and Tony Ryan

Charlie had already beaten the neuroblastma – cancer of the nervous system – once, having undergone 19 months of treatment in Australia where his parents moved five years ago.

But in February, doctors broke the news that the cancer was back – and there was little they could do to stop it.

His father Tony thanked the staff at Archant Norfolk for the campaign, which he said led to a “magical” visit after an emotional few weeks.

“A massive thank you to Tom Bristow, Steve Maddams and all the staff at Archant who have helped organise and raise awareness of Charlie’s disease, which has resulted in all the superb experiences Charlie has had over the past three weeks,” he said.

“They are experiences he and we will never forget. The joy they have brought him has been immeasurable. Anyone who has seen the photos in the newspaper or watched online will have seen his beaming smile.

“It has been amazing. The amount of support we have received has been unbelievable from friends and from complete strangers. It gives you back your faith in mankind.”

The family have now returned to Australia, where they will make their decision whether or not to go ahead with the clinical trials.

Charlie with Canaries player Johnny Howson during his mascot experience