COLLEAGUES of a mother whose seven-year-old son died after an accident last month have joined forces to support a worthy cause.

Cleaners at St David's High School, Saltney, are laying on a series of stalls and activities at a charity fun day tomorrow to raise money for Jane Rice's chosen charity, When You Wish Upon a Star.

Sherrie Jones, who works as a cleaner with Jane, said: 'The day is in memory of Billy.

'When he died, his mum decided to support When You Wish Upon a Star because that is what she called Billy - her star.'

Hazel Williams, Billy's grandmother and a cleaner at the school, said: 'It is a sale and Christmas fair. It's two in one with it being such a large school.

'Billy always wanted to go to Florida so Jane wants a child to go as their last wish because she couldn't give Billy the opportunity.'

Those at the school involved in organising the fun day are headteacher Tony Davidson, site manager John Buck, cleaners Wendy

Jones, Jean Mort, Sue Mort, Elaine Williams, Daphne Morrison, Maria Wiles, Nettie Evans, Helen Sharpe, Joy Lloyd, Hazel Williams and Sherrie Jones, and Pauline Rees in the kitchen.

Mr Davidson, who is giving free use of the school for the event, said: 'We are delighted to make the facility available to the cause.

'Hazel has worked here for 30 years and Jane, Billy's mum, works here. There is a very strong link between the family and the school and we thought it very worthwhile to support both the family and charity.'

The event is taking place tomorrow at 1.30pm. Admission is 30p. There will be a bouncy castle, refreshments, Santa's grotto, stalls, games and activities.

There will also be a grand raffle with prizes including a £300 diamond ring and a signed Everton shirt. The raffle numbers will be drawn by Billy's older brother, Anthony, who left St David's last year.

Sherrie added a special 'thank you' to Nettie Evans, her husband, Wes, who is a gardener at Chester Zoo, and the zoo itself, which has donated a lot to the event.

Billy Rice lived at the family home on Ewart Street and attended Saltney Ferry Primary.

He was at home on September 26 when his T-shirt caught fire in an accident.

An ambulance was called and Billy was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Suffering severe burns to his neck and chest, he was transferred to Alder Hey in Liverpool, where he died on October 13.

The week following his death, a memorial appeal was launched at the primary school by headteacher Lynton Jones.

When You Wish Upon A Star fulfils the wishes of children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

The charity has granted more than 5,000 wishes and its highlight of each year is to take 400 children to Lapland.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Billy Rice Memorial Appeal can do so at the primary school on Saltney Ferry Road.