THE heartbroken parents of a battling leukaemia victim have been told there is no hope for him in this country.

Atherton couple Gary and Elaine Berry are desperately striving to raise enough cash for miracle treatment for their son Daniel.

Six months ago Daniel, aged 17, was found to have a rare form of leukaemia and the family were dealt a further blow when two sessions of chemotherapy failed to have any effect on his condition.

His parents faced an agonising wait to find out if his third session of chemotherapy was successful and were elated at Christmas when results showed his disease was in remission.

Daniel returned from Hope Hospital in Salford to his home in Crosby Grove, Atherton and family life returned almost to normal.

Devastating news

But just as his parents thought he had turned the corner they were given the devastating news that his leukaemia cells have grown from five per cent to 70 per cent.

Mrs Berry said: "We had our hopes up and never imagined things could go from being so good to this bad so quickly. We are shocked and totally devastated. Daniel is the calmest of us all but we are all desperately worried."

Consultants have advised the stricken family that sending Daniel to The Anderson Clinic in Texas may be his only chance.

A host of fund-raising events have taken place since Daniel's plight was first published in the JOURNAL. The family have also received donations, including a sum of £1,000 from Sir Alex Ferguson -- Daniel's hero.

But the £40,000 raised so far will not cover the possible £200,000 cost of treatment in Texas and Mrs Berry is pleading for further help to raise the cash.

She said: "We need to be fast as Daniel's cell count will be dropping and before long he won't be allowed to fly. We will send him to America as soon as the clinic is able to accept him. We desperately need donations -- we are determined to get him there to give him a chance."

Manchester United fan Daniel had just left Hesketh Fletcher High School with seven GCSEs and was applying for an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering when he contracted the disease.

Anyone who can help is asked to send donations to PO Box 33, Manchester, M46 9YX.