A COMMUNITY devastated by the sudden death of a four-year-old boy has rallied round to provide a special final resting place for the popular tot.

A staggering £5,000 was raised by villagers shocked at the tragic loss of little Ryan Barrett.

And the money has paid for a touching, specially-decorated headstone for the fun-loving youngster.

It includes engravings of Ryan's favourite characters, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a rainbow and shooting star.

There is also a moving verse and an image of Ryan himself.

His dad, Mark Barrett, said he and his wife Kelly and the rest of the family had been overwhelmed by the support of neighbours, friends and the whole community.

The money for the headstone – at Steeton Cemetery – was raised through a sponsored walk, attended by more than 200 people.

It was organised by friends Sabina Waterhouse and Jenni Gaines.

"It's just absolutely amazing," said Mark, 43.

"The expectation was the walk would raise about £200, but for it to reach £5,000 is incredible.

"We are so grateful to Sabina and Jenni and the many people who gave their support. We can't thank everybody enough.

"It meant we could do so much more with the headstone and the edging.

"There is now a lovely, permanent tribute to Ryan where anyone can go to see him."

He said there were still many painful moments as they continued to try to come to terms with the death just before last Christmas of Ryan, the youngest of six children.

The normally-healthy toddler was suddenly taken ill at the family's Sun Street, Eastburn, home on the evening of December 14.

His condition worsened and in the early hours of the following day Mark rushed him the short distance to Airedale Hospital's Emergency Department, but desperate efforts to save him failed.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from a twisted intestine.

"We're just taking it day by day," Mark said this week.

"There are still bad days, and things remain very raw.

"It's not easy but there is a lot of support around us and that's greatly appreciated."

He and Kelly and their other children – Sophie, six, Emily, nine, Shane, 11, 13-year-old Cameron and Jack, 15 – all took part in the sponsored walk, in March, which followed a seven-mile route along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath between Bingley and Silsden.

Participants wore bright, or Disney-related, clothing.

Mrs Waterhouse, a neighbour of the family, said: "We were delighted with how it went. People were so generous.

"Everyone loved Ryan and the family is lovely.

"We wanted to do something for them and the response was just fantastic."