RedDuck Artist and Makers Auction at The Astor Theatre raises nearly £6,000 in honour of Deal toddler Raffy Holliday

Nearly £6,000 has been raised in honour of a three-year-old boy described as a “real-life superhero”.

Raffy Holliday, from Deal, died last year after a battling a rare virus, and his parents have since launched a charity in his memory called RedDuck, named after his favourite colour and animal.

On Friday, £5,750 was raised at the annual RedDuck Artist and Makers Auction, where 50 items – including clothing, artwork and pottery – were donated by artists.

Raffy’s mum Imogen Holliday says the funds will support Demelza Children’s Hospice and families whose children are in palliative or end-of-life care.

She said: “We are delighted to share that due to the kindness of all our artists and makers, this year we raised £5,740 for RedDuck.

“It is so important that we keep the momentum going, that we continue to raise awareness of HHV6 and we continue to fundraise for children in palliative care.”

Raffy was just 11 months old when he was diagnosed with MPAL – mixed phenotype acute leukaemia – in May 2020.

He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and experimental immunotherapy to fight three different types of cancer.

Although the treatment was a success, a bone marrow transplant in September 2020 led to other health issues, including Raffy being immunocompromised and contracting human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6).

It would later lead to the encephalitis – an inflammation of the brain – that would cause his death in March last year.

He was remembered by his family as “the most perfect, beautiful little boy”, with his mum saying: “He absolutely is a real life superhero, and he was the happiest person I’ve ever met.”

The family has since been determined to raise awareness of the virus and change the way it is treated and tested by medical professionals.

In particular, his parents want to add HHV6 to the weekly panel of viruses which are tested in hospitals.

Held at the Astor Theatre, Friday’s fundraising auction included two Ned Kelly pieces, a day session with tattooist Martin Berresford and bucket hats by Emma Brewin.

There was also entertainment from comedian Tat Vision, music by Sonnie Mann and a performance from Guinness World Record holder and stunt artist Daniella D’Ville.