Mr and Mrs Darren and Lisa Ford, of Lisbon Drive, say they have been "overwhelmed" by the response from wellwishers and inundated with offers of help.

Following a report in the Express, Joshua's story was featured on regional television.

Mr Ford said: "We have had offers of stairlifts and money to help with Josh's care. To be honest, it's all a bit overwhelming. We just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us. We want to raise awareness of the disease so other families don't have to go through the same thing.

"We are going to open a fund for Josh and look into getting it registered as a charity. All the donations will go to funding Josh's care, so he can have the best equipment."

And on Joshua he said: "He's doing okay, he's just being himself really. He keeps saying that he is more famous than David Beckham."

Multicare Stairlifts, Scooters and Wheelchairs, Colne, has supplied Joshua with a stairlift and staff at the Asda store, Colne, are holding collections to raise cash. The family has even been contacted by a school in St Helens wanting to raise money and a Liverpool University band, Woody's Boys, are to hold a charity concert.

Mrs Lord said the couple also wanted to thank their daughter, Lauren, for the way she has coped with Joshua's illness. "She is only eight years old and she's had to grow up fast because we were living at the hospital when Josh was ill. She has been so brave," she said.

Nine-year-old Joshua was struck down with meningococcal septicaemia in August.