A NEWPORT boy whose best friend is battling leukaemia has raised £188 to help give him a holiday of a lifetime.

Eight-year-old Joel Vassallo, of Lliswery Park Drive, raised the money in a collection with his dad at Llanwern steelworks for his best friend, Thomas Steer, nine, who is in hospital awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

Joel is missing Thomas, and wants to wish him well through the Argus.

"I miss playing football with him but I hope this money will give him a good holiday and make him better," said Joel.

Thomas, from Alway, Newport, has been treated for the life-threatening condition since 2001, and it was thought he had beaten the disease.

But Thomas is back in hospital at Llandough, near Penarth, awaiting a bone marrow transplant after the leukaemia returned at the end of August.

The boys have been friends for five years, but Joel's mother, June, 43, said they had become close in the last couple of months.

"He comes around and calls for Joel and Joel goes to his house. Joel used to ask him how he was and they love playing football.

"Thomas came around to a barbecue and told Joel he was ill again. He was quite upset when he heard and is missing Thomas.

"He speaks to him on the phone in the evenings and has written a get well note," said Mrs Vassallo.

Joel decided to organise a collection in the RTB Club with his dad, Manny, 48, to help raise funds to send Thomas to Disneyland.

"He goes to the club every Sunday to watch football and he came up with the idea of a collection," she added.

"The holiday and the thought of everyone rallying around will cheer Thomas up. He is a lovely boy, it is such a shame," said Mrs Vassallo.

Meanwhile, Thomas' father told the Argus his son was "responding well" to his treatment.

"He's had a good week, he's sleeping well, and the doctors are pleased with his progress," he said. "The support from his friends has been wonderful."