Sheffield granddad hopes to make cancer-stricken grandson's dream come true by building huge Thomas the Tank Engine model railway

Brave Jordan Reid is often seen smiling on the wards of Sheffield Children's Hospital while playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine toy sets - despite battling a rare condition that causes brain tumours.

And the 'train mad' two-year-old could soon have more reasons to smile as his grandfather Kevan Adams is hoping to build him a huge model railway - but he needs Sheffield residents to play their part in making Jordan's dream come true.

The 54-year-old Hillsborough man said: "Jordan is mad about trains, he absolutely loves them. He has been a power of strength throughout it all.

"I really want to build him this model railway but it is quite a big job and I could do with about 10 volunteers to help me. You would be making a little boy's dream come true."

Jordan, of Wisewood, was diagnosed in June last year with an 'a-typical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour', which causes cancer cells to develop in the brain. He has undergone brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in recent months, and the condition means he struggles to communicate as his vocal chords have fused together.

Despite all this, he still maintains a cheery attitude to life - all with the help of his toy trains.

Mr Adams, who is himself in a wheelchair after a seizure left him paralyzed down one side, said: "Some days I struggle with my own condition, but I look at Jordan and how he copes and it is really inspiring."

He has already got to work building parts for the 16ft by 8ft model railway in the basement of the former Beeley Wood pub in Middlewood Road and has receive dhelp from fellow members of Sheffield Model Railway Society.

Mr Adams, who runs a genealogy business, said: "I'm basing it on Brendam Docks and Knapford Station in Thomas the Tank Engine so it should look spectacular when it's done. There will be two tracks, trains, boats in the docks, bridges and lighting so it will look like a working town at night."

He hopes to have it completed within the next several months and after showing Jordan his handy work, he wants to take it on a tour of model railway exhibitions around the UK. The plan is to raise money along the way for Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Mr Adams said: "Thousands of people go to these exhibitions and if we can take our collection buckets and raise thousands of pounds for the hospital that would be fantastic. Further down the line, we might even auction it off and donate the proceeds.

"The hospital do such fantastic work, but they need our help."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact him on 07856 483218.