Instead of asking for the usual gifts she asked all the guests at her 1930s-themed party to make a donation to the Danny Ryan Memorial Award Fund.

Her grandson Bradley Wilson, seven, of Boothtown Road, Halifax, was one of five winners of the award for courageous children last year for his constant battle with debilitating eczema.

Patricia was so thankful for the work that the fund do for him that she presented them with a cheque for £230.

Bradley, who has just finished Year 2 at St Joseph's Primary School, Halifax, has been affected by the skin condition his whole life and it often leaves him unable to sleep because of the pain.

His mum Leanne said: "He always does his best to join in at school but he struggles with anything physical because of his condition.

"My mum has always been extremely close to Bradley. She helped me raise him and put in a lot of time and money to help him.

"She didn't want anything for her birthday other than to say thank you to the Dan-ny Ryan Fund, and the guests were more than happy to help."

The fund was set up 25 years ago by the Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley in memory of deputy head teacher Danny Ryan.

Bradley's head teacher Janet Hutton, who nominated him for the award, said: "Bradley is a delightful and happy boy. The treatment can often be painful for Bradley but he bears it very well and always tries to be cheerful."