HUNDREDS of people took to the streets for a sponsored walk in memory of a child who died from a rare form of a genetic disease.

Micky Welch, 13, underwent years of years of exhausting hospital treatment for a tumour on his face caused by Neurofibromatosis, before dying last April following complications.

Close to the anniversary of his death, his family were joined by hundreds of supporters to raise money for his former school.

They walked from Whittingham Community Primary School, in Higham Hill Road, to Haven House Hospice where he received care before he died. The walk was to raise money for both the school and the hospice.

His mum Jackie Welch, of Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, said: “I was so happy with the turnout and Micky would have been very surprised.

“He was only a little boy but he had such a positive effect on a lot of people because of his cheeky little face. You met him once and knew him for life.”

Micky was diagnosed with a malignant tumour on his face after he was born which doctors could not remove because of the close proximity to his brain.

His dad Bob, 56, paid tribute to Haven House hospice, which looked after Micky before his death.

Mrs Welch said: “He was depressed but they got him out of that by doing activities with him. And he enjoyed being around kids his own age because he missed his school friends.

“I would like to continue fund-raising for Haven House because they do such a brilliant job.”