CHARLIE Allen is still smiling in the face of his battle with leukaemia as family and friends of the five-year-old continue their fundraising efforts.

Following a charity car wash at Drove Fire Station, friends of the boy from Stratton put on a teddy bears picnic at Lydiard and fundraiser at the Wheatsheaf over the weekend.

More than £800 has come in from a family friend agreeing to get a body wax at the pub on Sunday, while Charlie’s classmates enjoyed the day out at Lydiard Park on Saturday.

Charlie is facing three-and-a-half years of treatment and has had rounds of chemotherapy already, but faces it all with a grin.

Family friend Kelly Rowlands said: “We just need to raise as much as possible for Charlie. For the next three-and-a-half years he is going to be back and forward to the John Radcliffe hospital, and it is not cheap to pay for the transport or stay there.

“We have managed to get him a wheelchair now but we want to be able to get him a car seat, which start at around £700 but can go up to around £2,000.”

Kelly thanked everyone who has got involved with fundraising already, and plans a charity football match at Swindon Supermarine in October.

She said: “I am humbled by the community every time, and I want to thank the whole of Swindon, especially Stratton, for all the help they have given us.”

Donations can be made at collection boxes at the Wheatsheaf, Moonrakers and Bakers Arms, or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1453773814877636/