FLASH-mob dancers have raised over �1,000 for a young cancer sufferer whose plight has captured the hearts of many in St Albans.

The Stephanie Ledger School of Dancing performed a series of flash mobs in the city centre on Saturday for the Bailey Sarwa Appeal.

Bailey is a Year 8 pupil at Marlborough School who is fighting neuroblastoma, a rare cancer, for the second time after nearly seven years in remission.

Funds are urgently needed to pay for potentially life-saving antibody treatment for Bailey in Germany or the United States after Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he is receiving chemotherapy, refused to provide the treatment.

Bryony Pemberton, speaking on behalf of the dancing school, said performers had a brilliant time dancing for the appeal and bringing a smile to the faces of shoppers on market day.

Adult ballet class member Jess Pountney and school principal Stephanie Ledger choreographed routines and rehearsed for the big day with help from older pupils.

Stephanie said: “Bailey’s story has captured the hearts and minds of many local people and through these flash-mobs we hope to raise further support and awareness to give this brave boy a chance to fight for his life.”

It is hoped that the appeal will receive a further boost this weekend at a celebrity and football legends’ charity match in London Colney.

The event starts at 11am on Sunday, May 13, at London Colney Football Club’s grounds in Cotlandswick. The game kicks off at 1pm.

Andrew Farley, from the Arsenal Charity Team, said the side would include ex-footballers Ian Selley and Jimmy Carter as well as Lucien Laviscount, who has appeared in hit TV shows Waterloo Road, Coronation Street and Big Brother.

Bailey’s All Stars side includes English professional snooker player Alfie Burden.

Tickets for the event at the ground off the A414, North Orbital Road, cost �5 per adult and �1 per child and are available from a range of places including the Alban Arena in St Albans, Langleys in London Colney High Street and Your Move in St Albans Road in Garston and the High Street in Watford.

Bailey’s mum, Becki Jones, said her son recently enjoyed a disco held to celebrate his 13th birthday, featuring Mark Potter of Blue Mark Entertainment as the DJ for the night.

Becki said: “Bailey got hundreds of cards. It was emotional. Bailey wanted karaoke, so there was singing and dancing.”

Over 100 family members and friends attended the party and Bailey even received a security jacket from Chain Security of Manchester, whose staff made a special trip to New Greens to help out at the event.