HELPING children with disabilities and severe illnesses was just “onesie” more reason why kind-hearted youngsters swapped their regular clothes for something a little different.

People across Bolton took part in the ‘Onesie Wednesday’ stunt to raise cash to help poorly children take well-deserved holidays with their families.

A total of 24 Atherton children aged three to 14 wore their onesies to the Platinum Community Centre in Halliwell Road – Team Fury’s boxing gym – to meet boxers and trainers.

The youngsters, from Atherton holiday club School Shuttle, were supporting Heywood charity Trewan Sands Children’s Trust, which pays for breaks for sick and disabled children.

Asif Vali, who works for Platinum Consultancy and runs School Shuttle, got involved to help organise the event because his 15-year-old son Zak is currently facing his own cancer battle.

Mr Vali said: “Zak is fighting Ewing’s sarcoma after being first diagnosed in September last year.

“He and his friends on the ward at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital were all offered holidays by Trewan Sands.

“I knew nothing about the charity until Peter Fury and Tyson Fury supported them at an event more than 12 months ago. At that time my son had not been diagnosed with cancer.

“Things have gone full circle, and now they are supporting me.

“Until you are going through the situation, you do not realise that what they do is a Godsend. Trewan Sands is such a worthwhile and needy cause.”

Setting off on a 40-mile sponsored run from the Platinum Centre this morning was 26-year-old Massab Khan, who has already raised more than £300 in sponsorship for Trewan Sands.

He expected to complete his run yesterday afternoon at the Ainsworth Arms pub in Bolton Road, Bury – where a ‘Wear Your Onesie’ party was being held.

Louise Dawson, from Trewan Sands Children’s Trust, said: “Last year was the first year we held a Onesie Wednesday event, and it raised more than £500.

“This year we are hoping to raise much more than that.

“We asked people to wear their onesies to raise awareness. Our motto is ‘memories to cherish’ and all the money we raise will go towards helping families make memories.”

Children at Blackrod Church School also got involved with Onesie Wednesday. /

To make a donation to Massab go to: justgiving.com/Massab-Khan/ and for more information on Trewan Sands Children’s Trust go to tsctrust.org