DAVE Artell says Crewe Alex staff will step up their efforts to help Academy keeper Ashton Hulme after learning the youngster needs to have part of his leg amputated.

Crewe's under-12 keeper has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and has recently undergone a second round of chemotherapy treatment.

Boss Artell says he will be joining Alex Academy staff when they embark on a 35-mile circuit of the area's professional football grounds on Sunday, May 23 to raise funds for Ashton's family.

The fundraising run will start at Gresty Road and call in at Vale Park as well as the Bet365 Stadium (Stoke City).

Crewe players revealed they were wearing t-shirts emblazoned with their support for Ashton and his family before the kick-off of their League One fixture at Northampton on Saturday.

"We found out that he [Ashton] had the worst of news, [he needs] an amputation of his lower leg," said the Crewe manager.

"We are doing the three grounds run, we wore the shirts before the game and we are going to offer as much support to him.

"One of our Academy players is going through the most traumatic of experiences that any child can go through. We will try and support him in any way we can."

Crewe have changed their social media handles as a reminder that the 12-year-old is in their thoughts ahead of planned surgery tomorrow.

Running the fundraiser in May are Academy Manager Aidan Callan, coaches Lee Bell, Sam Pettitt, Ryan Dicker and Jonny Barber, sport scientist Tom Ryan and club physio Tass Amiridis.

You can find the JustGiving appeal here. So far £2,405 has been pledged.

Also show your support for the brave youngster here #marchinmarch and #getfitforashton.

Among the fundraising for Ashton is a Bake-off challenge being organised by Nantwich restaurant cafe Enzo.

Owner Carrie Slater hopes to to hit a £1,500 fundraising target after asking customers bake a cake or delicacy for a competition on April 3. You can enter at the Enzo website here.