Ill toddler gets German operation

Jim Hynes, the toddler's father, said they were hopeful

A seriously ill toddler is in Germany to get a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant operation.

The parents of 13-month-old James Hynes, who is suffering from leukaemia, had been told nothing could be done.

However, the Eastern Health Board eventually agreed to fund the procedure. It followed a media campaign for James to get treatment.

The toddler, from Dundrod in County Antrim, will receive the bone marrow on Tuesday from his mother Cathy.

Jim Hynes, James's father, said they were hopeful the treatment would work.

"What is does is give James a new immune system. If it works the way everybody wants it to, it will save his life," he said.

Fundraising campaign

The Hynes family found the website of a consultant in Germany who was prepared to do the operation privately.

They began a fundraising campaign and there was a massive public response.

Last month, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board decided to fund the £100,000 operation after it was deemed appropriate by doctors.

The family have been told that the operation only has a 20-30% chance of success.