LITTLE Rhys Harris is well on the road to recovery and his father has launched a major fundraising drive to thank the hospital who helped him.

The six-year-old from Newbridge suffers from Nemo, an extremely rare genetic disorder that effects just 35 people in the world.

It means he has virtually no immune system.

In October he underwent pioneering treatment to rebuild his immune system using transplanted bone marrow.

It was feared the procedure could kill him or see him confined to an isolation bubble for eight months.

But the youngster defied all odds and already is making such good process that he is out of hospital.

His father Kevin Harris is so grateful for the care Rhys received at Newcastle General Hospital's specialist ward, he is organising a sponsored bike ride from Newcastle to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, where he was first diagnosed.

Mr Harris said: "I remember clearly the time when Rhys was told he had no hope, a bone marrow transplant was not an option, and when a Bone Marrow Transplant was an option it took 12 months to find the Donor.

"I remember the times at night when Rhys was so ill I was worried he would not wake up.

"Horrible memories, but extremely important memories, as these will forge our future together, and remind us to help others as there is so much good in a world sometimes all we see is the bad."

Mr Harris will raise the funds for the Bubble Foundation, who run the ward and is set to take part in the 329 mile trek in the next few months.

To find out more about the trip and how to help, log-on to www.cure4rhys.org