A BOY born with a rare medical condition has taken the final key step on his road to recovery.

The Leader has followed the story of Daniel Weale, four, who was born with severe respiratory difficulties and had a tracheotomy operation when he was just six weeks old.

Now Daniel has had the tracheotomy removed and delighted parents Sarah Tompkin, 31, and Vinnie Weale, both of Connah’s Quay, said it was the ‘best news ever’.

Sarah said: “We are delighted. This has made a complete difference, he is going to be able to do normal things. Everything will completely change.

“His whole life up to now he has had to have someone with special training with him, he can now go and stay with grandparents and friends.

“He can go swimming and do everything a little boy should be able to.”

It had been thought Daniel, a pupil at Dee Road Infants, may never be able to talk but even with his tracheotomy he managed to break his silence.

Now his speech is expected to continue to improve.

Sarah said: “It is really strange, we have had it for nearly five years and it is not there any more. We are keeping a close eye on it and he has a dressing on it. We are taking it a day at a time.”

Along with friend Yvette Floyd, of Shotton, Sarah is organising a charity night at Connah’s Quay Labour Club to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, which provides free accommodation for parents while their children are in hospital, and The Birthmark Support Group.

Sarah said: “We are really pleased to say thank you by raising this money. We were pretty much at Ronald McDonald House for three months after Daniel was born.”

Raffle prizes from local businesses including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Chester Lions and a signed football from Everton FC have been donated for the event on Saturday, May 29. Tickets are £5. For information call 07540927942 or 07816112957.