THERE were superheroes and singing sensations galore as a fundraising night held in Builth Wells in July raised the roof – as well as nearly £10,000.

The superb amount of £8,546.45 will be going to help a little boy in his fight against cancer. Superhero-obsessed Joseph Yeandle, who is just three, is battling a rare yet aggressive form of childhood cancer called stage four high-risk neuroblastoma.

His mother Katy teaches at Ysgol Calon Cymru’s Builth campus, with staff members putting on the fundraiser at the town’s White Horse pub on Wednesday, July 28.

Event organiser Jan Healey said: “When staff heard that a colleague needed support to raise money for her son’s treatment, they wanted to do something to help support the cause.”

Katy, a jack-of-all-trades teacher, who has covered textiles, health and social care and food since starting at the school in 2007, has a fundraising goal of £200,000, which will help provide further treatment for brave Joseph’s complicated condition.

The audience was treated to tributes from Dolly Parton, Elton John, Whitney Houston and ABBA among many others at the lively fundraiser. A team of pub staff also served at the tables in superhero costumes, a nod to the Help Joseph ‘Hulk Smash’ Cancer campaign.

The evening was a roaring success. A raffle was generously supported by a wide range of local businesses and individuals, with some items auctioned on the evening. The event was sold out and the crowd enjoyed a night to remember as they sang along to well-known hits. The White Horse also generously gave all proceeds from the bar that night to the cause and local band The Midways gave up their time to finish the evening.

The money raised is in addition to funds gathered at separate events by staff and pupils, including bake sales, a sponsored 5k and a group effort by staff to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge, which took place in August. Staff and pupils wish Joseph a full and speedy recovery from his illness.

Joseph’s plight began shortly after Christmas last year and, after turning three in February, his energy levels dropped drastically. His parents initially put the behaviour down to a new habit picked up as a consequence of lockdown but, by Easter, things took a turn for the worse.

Joseph was struck down with a virus and, after his local hospital discovered his platelets were very low, he was sent for a series of tests and scans. A bone marrow biopsy revealed the awful news he had neuroblastoma, with the cancer spreading to his adrenal glands, stomach, lymphatic system, brain and bone marrow. He has spent the last few months undergoing intensive treatment – with a 40-50 per cent chance of long-term survival.

County Times: Smiley Joseph Yeandle, 3, is battling a rare childhood form of cancer Smiley Joseph Yeandle, 3, is battling a rare childhood form of cancer

The plucky youngster has undergone Rapid COJEC chemotherapy and had been due to have major surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, after which he will have to undergo more high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to complete his frontline treatment. Joseph also has to have regular scans, ultrasounds, injections, transfusions, oxygen and biopsies.

Katy admits the last six months or so has been full of concern and confusion, not least for Joseph’s older brother Liam, who at just six, has seen his mental health suffer due to not seeing his smiley younger sibling.

During Joseph’s treatment, only one parent has been allowed to stay with him at the hospital because of Covid restrictions, which has been a real strain on Katy, husband James and Liam. “Despite everything Joseph remains a cheerful and smiley little boy,” said Katy.

“He misses his family when he is in the hospital but has discovered Facetime and the multitude of backgrounds and animations which is keeping him highly amused. He loves to see his brother Liam as a tomato, his nannie as a bunny rabbit, grandad as a sheep, his twin cousins with a fire background in their Fireman Sam outfits and nanna as a talking corn on the cob.”

Despite not living locally – Katy travels around 50 miles every day from the family home in Rhosaman, between Ystradgynlais and Ammanford at the foot of the Brecon Beacons National Park – she has been overwhelmed by the love and support the school and community of Builth have shown the family throughout their ordeal.

“The community around Builth Wells has been outstanding,” said Katy.

“They have done raffles, cake stalls, car washing, race for life, the three peaks challenge and many more. The staff in the Strand cafe have generously donated all their tip money for three months, which is beyond amazing.

“I can’t believe how this community has come together to support Joseph. I don’t know how I will ever be able to show them how grateful we truly are to them.

“The school is fantastic, the students and my colleagues are amazing and the community is like no other. Just look at what the school and community have already done for Joseph.

“It makes me proud to be a teacher in the school and I can’t thank everyone enough for what they have done for us.”

The fantastic fundraising from local people and businesses in Builth has helped launch Joseph’s total to a superb £68,711. You can read more and donate to the cause here or text HELPJOSEPH and your amount (£1-£20) to 70085.