THE Wrexham community is helping to raise enough money for a three-year-old boy’s electric wheelchair.

Jodie Thompson, 32, from Skegness, is mother to Harrison, a three-year-old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition which causes progressive muscle wasting and loss of movement.

An electric wheelchair to help him move around will cost £24,000 and thanks to community fundraising, they are getting closer to their target.

Ms Thompson said: “Harrison was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 13-months-old.

“We were told he would not live past two years and to take him home and love him; words that will stay with me forever.

“Thankfully, after hours of negotiations, I secured him a place on a drug trial called Spinraza.

“It’s a lumbar puncture directly into Harrison’s spine three times a year to administer the drug.

“Due to this, Harrison has gained some strength back.

“He can hold his head, feed himself, to a degree, and move his arms well.

“Unfortunately this newfound strength is new to the NHS so they can’t provide him with suitable equipment that he needs, such as the wheelchair we are currently fundraising for.

“The wheelchair is £24k and we now need £9k to get to it; so close.

“The wheelchair, a snapdragon by Dragonmobility, with give Harrison, a now three-and-a-half-year-old little troublemaker the independence he craves.

“To play with his brothers and friends, to be able to get to something without asking us to help, it would be invaluable to him.”

A Fun Day was held at The Sun in Rhos on Sunday to raise more funds for the cause.

Des Lloyd, from Rhos, worked with Harrison’s grandfather for 30 years and helped to organise the Fun Day after hearing Harrison’s story.

Harrison’s Nan, Davena Struggles, from Ellesmere, said: “The fun day was amazing, we are really grateful for their support.

“I would like to thank all the people who helped and everyone that donated prizes or took part in the auction of a number of items that had been given.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“Harrison goes to pick up his loan power chair from Cambridge soon as they will start to build his now and we said that when he has his we will pay them a visit to show what a wonderful machine it is and how it will hopefully gain him some independence.

“It will be “L” plates for a while!”

A friend of the family, Rebecca Taylorson, is also fundraising for Harrison by undertaking Ring O’ Fire, a coastal ultra marathon which takes runners on an 36 mile journey around the Isle of Anglesey.

To donate to this event, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rebecca-taylorson?utm_id=107&utm_term=YeDx2z32e.