IT'S the little things that matter. The tale of Romsey schoolboy Josh Hartley, 12, and his three brothers has moved big-hearted local residents to raise nearly £8,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Josh and his three brothers Nathan, 10, Daniel, 8 and Luke, 4, were all diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, which requires bone marrow transplants, last November.

Bone marrow donors were eventually found for the boys and Josh's transplant, from mum Allison, was completed in June.

Today his brother Daniel, was due to undergo pre-transplant tests at Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London.

The courage of the Hartley family motivated local residents to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust, which provides lifesaving bone marrow donors for patients in need of a transplant.

Jean Kenny, secretary of the Romsey and Test Valley account, presented a cheque for £7,900 to Catherine Wade of the Anthony Nolan Trust at the Hartley's Winchester Road home yesterday.

David Hartley, Josh's father, said: "I have been amazed at the number of people that have used initiative. Even people who don't know us very well have done fantastically. There have been big things done, but there are little things as well, such as a pub which ran a race night to raise money."