Students, parents, and alumni of Warwick Academy stepped up yesterday to assist a man faced with huge medical expenses for his gravely ill son.

The school's sixth Random Acts of Kindness Day attracted more than 1,000 walkers and book buyers for events designed to teach young people the value of charitable work.

Leading one RAK project, March for Mihdi, was Marvin Brock, whose two-year-old son, Mihdi has a condition called kyphoscoliosis.

Now living in New Hampshire, Mr. Brock and his wife Claire are faced with huge medical bills for therapy.

With money raised by Warwick Academy, Mihdi will fly to Vancouver, British Columbia for medical tests today.

Another RAK, the Walk for Literacy, saw Warwick Academy presenting $1,000 each to Southampton and Warwick preschools, where the private school's students read to the tots.

The pre-schools principal's can now spend that money at the Children's Bookstore.

Mr. Brock was moved by the children's rallying to his aid, describing it as "truly a gift''.

"For me to formulate the words is difficult. Parents have said to me, `we're parents, so we understand what you're going through. My experience in Bermuda left me with bad feelings but I never expected, never dreamed or imagined the efforts of these children and their parents,'' he said as he surveyed the schools grounds, teeming with children.

Just then two young girls walked by, peeked at Mihdi and said: "Oh! He's so cute.'' Six weeks into her pregnancy, Claire Brock began having contractions and Mihdi was born weighing five pounds.

But by the time Mihdi was five months old, his parents had to seek medical advice across North America to explain his large head size compared to his body.

Doctors have found this to be benign, but found the kyphoscoliosis or curvature of the spine and a narrow heart passage which could lead to a stroke.

With Mihdi now acting like a normal two-year-old, Mr. Brock's family is exhausting its financial resources. Alternative medicines are not covered by standard insurance policies.

Mr. Brock spends his time with his son, seeking treatment in Western and Asian medicine. Mrs. Brock works and raises their other children.

Students help Mihdi "Steve Thompson, Sharon Nannini, Warwick Academy have been incredible,'' Mr.

Brock said. "I will never forget seeing all those children walking to make a contribution for Mihdi's medical expenses.

"The funds raised here will go to paying some of the costs of treatment and related expenses,'' he added.

March for Mihdi have flown Mr. Brock and Mihdi home for yesterday's events, and will now fly him to Vancouver. Mr. Brock has also been given a large cash grant, from the March.

"We read about it and we found out he can't get child insurance,'' RAK co-organiser Stephen Thompson said during a break yesterday. "We thought it would be a great act of kindness.

"The sale of the books here today will also be donated to the Mihdi Brock Fund,'' he added.

Sharon Nannini said of RAK/March for Mihdi: "Random acts of Kindness goes on throughout the year, and so this is a reward. A coming together for food and games. We want to showcase what we do with one day.'' Teacher Disa Manders said: "When you do something for somebody else you always get a good feeling. We know Bermudian society has changed over the years and we are looking to bring the old Bermuda back.'' More details about Mihdi are available on the Internet at www.thelotus.com.