THE people of Huddersfield are being called on to bring some sunshine to the family of tragic Ryan Hawkins.

Residents of Slaithwaite, where the four-year-old lived before his death, have launched a campaign to send his mum, Valerie, and two sisters, Donna, 14, and Natalie, 16, on the holiday of a lifetime.

A committee has been set up to raise £5,000 to pay for an all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland, Florida, next summer.

Valerie’s twin sister, Helen Beresford, who is on the fundraising committee, said: “It will help them to be away from Huddersfield, to get the family back together and give them some bonding time.”

Ryan was stabbed to death at a house in Royd Street, Hill Top, Slaithwaite, on September 23.

Donna survived despite suffering 23 stab wounds.

Their father, Christopher Hawkins, 47, has been charged with murder and attempted murder and is in custody awaiting trial next year.

Teresa Lockwood, community relations organiser at Co-Op Funeralcare, which organised Ryan’s funeral, has written a letter asking local businesses to support the family.

It said: “With all the traumatic stress they are going through, a little respite maybe the tonic they need.

“Hopefully this will help bond the family together and they will rebuild their lives once again.”

A fundraising concert will take place at Slaithwaite Cricket and Bowling Club on January 30.

The organisers want to hear from people who want to be involved or donate raffle prizes for the event.

Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford has already given the organisers a meal for two in the Houses of Parliament and a Houses of Parliament bottle of whisky as prizes.

She said: “I always knew that the community would know when the right time was to respond to what the family needed and what the family would want.

“This is a nice way of saying ‘we care about you and we want to give you a break from all the horrible things you have been going through’.”

Several businesses in Slaithwaite have offered their support to the campaign and Colne Valley High School is planning a fundraising dance concert.

Co-Op Travelcare, which has booked the holiday in June next year, will be organising fundraising events.

The shop is accepting cheques and spare foreign currency to put towards the fund, which they have called The Ryan Fund.

Kimberley Sykes, from Co-Op Travelcare, said: “I feel privileged to have been asked to do something for Ryan’s family to help bring them back together and start to rebuild.

“I was absolutely devastated when it happened – you can’t believe that something like that could happen on your doorstep.

“We do a lot for the community, but this is something special.”

Foreign currency can be handed in at the Travelcare branch at John William Street, Huddersfield.

Cheques should be made payable to Travelcare, with a note to specify the money is for The Ryan Fund, and sent to: Co-Op Travelcare, 19-21 John William Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1BR.

An account has also been set up at the Lloyds TSB branch at Carr Lane, Slaithwaite. Money should be handed in at the branch.

For more information about the fundraising events, or to get involved, call Teresa Lockwood on 01484 842212.