NEW YORK SHARES

NEIGHBOURS have started a collection to pay for the funeral of a baby alleged to have been murdered by his father.

Les Allcock, Sue Cox and Yvonne Rice are setting up the James-Lee Riley Pick Trust to offer financial help to the seven-month-old boy's mother and grandmother.

Mr Allcock, who lives in Waterford Drive, Chaddesden, close to where the youngster lived, said he felt compelled to help after hearing about the tragedy.

The 64-year-old retired security worker said: "In just over a week there have been eight children that have died in Derby.

"In all of my life I have never known a week so tragic as this.

"Of course there were Mick Philpott's six children who died in the Allenton fire and then poor Lewis Mighty lost his battle with cancer.

"Among this James-Lee died and I felt his story was being overlooked because of the fire tragedy, which I can fully understand.

"As a neighbour who knows his mum, Hannah, I wanted to step in and help and already the community in Chaddesden are supporting us."

Nathan Pick, 37, of Waterford Drive, Chaddesden, has been charged with the murder of his son.

Last week he was remanded in custody after appearing at Nottingham Crown Court.

The baby boy was taken to Royal Derby Hospital on May 8. Police were called to investigate and Pick was arrested the next afternoon.

The baby was transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, where he died late on May 9.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court.

Mr Allcock said: "At first I put a couple of collection tins in local shops close to where we live and within a couple of days I had collected £20.

"Sue and Yvonne decided they wanted to get involved and now we are in the process of formally setting up a trust in James-Lee's name.

"While we are waiting to do that I have logged and kept details of all the money we have collected so far for auditing purposes.

"I have seen Hannah, James-Lee's mum, and his grandmother and spoken to them as well and they seem to be bearing up very well considering what they are going through.

"And it has been heart-warming to see that during what has been such a tragic time for them, for Mick and his family and for the family of Lewis Mighty, that the city and the communities are rallying around to offer such incredible support for them all."

RUNNERS put their best foot forward for the Tewkesbury Half Marathon yesterday.

About 1,000 people donned their trainers for the 13-mile race and five-mile fun run in aid of health charity Sue Ryder.

People lined the streets of the town for the annual event which covers a course through Northway, Bredon and across the county border.

Race director Ann Wilson said: "It went very well.

"The weather was good and the athletes were all very happy, even though entries were down on last year.

"We always get a good atmosphere and they always support those who are taking part in the fun run as well."

Organisers hope raise hundreds of pounds for Sue Ryder.

See page 29 for full race results.