AN ASTONISHING £31,000 was raised in just a week to help Cross Hills barber Chris Riley fight stomach cancer.

Businesses and individuals across the region have dug deep to boost a Gofundme appeal to pay for specialist treatment and aftercare at home or abroad.

A host of groups and companies are organising activities over the next few weeks to bring in more cash to help the 28-year-old known as ‘Riley’ to customers at Hardrock Barbers.

Chris’s brother Alex and friends are planning a series of fundraising challenges including walking up Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, trekking the Yorkshire Three Peaks and cycling 30 miles a day for 30 days.

The Life of Riley appeal will also see sister Lois cycle round Glusburn School field with a friend, and other family members running or swimming a mile a day for 30 days.

Chris this week vowed to fight his illness “100%” after receiving his shock diagnosis of stage 4 stomach cancer following an endoscopy and CT scan.

His close-knit family are now scouring the globe to find cutting-edge treatments that could give Chris a greater chance of life.

They have appealed for more raffle prizes to add to those already donated.