A cash appeal by the Winchester NewsEXTRA to help a five-year-old boy suffering from a rare disease has more than doubled its original target.

The story of John-James Entwistle, who has Alstrom Syndrome, was first featured in the NewsEXTRA in November last year.

His mother, Jane, was appealing for a runner to take part in this year's London Marathon on behalf of her son and other sufferers of this disorder which affects the heart and sight and causes weight problems.

As a result of the article, NewsEXTRA reader Richard Marchmont, (24), who had run the marathon twice before, took up the challenge.

A target of £1,000 was set, but thanks to a magnificent response from readers it was soon overtaken and the latest count is more than £2,200 pledged for the Alstrom Syndrome UK charity, with money still coming in.

Editor Mary Payne said: "Our readers have been fantastic. Some included messages with their cheques saying that they were so touched by the story about John-James that they just had to help."

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