ELLESMERE Port soldiers in war-torn Basra have joined forces to help the Sam Fynn Appeal.
The appeal was started by the Pioneer's newspaper group to send six-year-old Sam, of Great Sutton, who has an inoperable brain tumour, on holiday.
And in just a couple of weeks, readers have raised a staggering £11,000.
This will pay for Sam, brother, Damian 12, sister Shani, 10, mother Caroline and father Andrew to go to Disneyland Paris for three nights.
There's also enough money to buy Sam an electric wheelchair, which will help him keep his independence as his condition deteriorates.
The leftover cash will go to a cancer research charity of the Fynn family's choice.
And among those supporting the appeal is a group of lads from the Cheshire Regiment, who have decided to do a 120-mile sponsored run around their base camp near Basra to raise money.
The challenge was due to take place yesterday and one of those involved, Corporal Terry Finlay, said they already had pledges totalling £1,000.
He told the Pioneer: 'Myself and other members of my platoon were so moved when we read the story that we have decided that we would like to help.
'The idea is that 11 members of SP and B company will run a total of 120 miles around our camp. We hope the money we raise can bring some happiness to the family.
'It's the least we can do after all the support the local community has shown us.'
Other Ellesmere Port lads taking part in the run are Private Scott Forsyth and Lance-Corporals Alex Jamison and Adrian Rotherham.
Graham Fair, Sam's grandfather, said: 'The response to the Sam Fynn appeal has been absolutely overwhelming. So many people want to help us and that is wonderful.'
Regulars at Ellesmere Port Labour Club raised more than £300 for the appeal with a raffle at the weekend.
