THE family of a youngster with a rare muscle condition has launched a massive fundraising drive to help them buy an powered wheelchair.

Two-year-old Stanley Newman, of Skelmersdale Road, Clacton, has an illness which affects his muscles, leaving him weak and limp.

He is now unable to move or keep himself upright, though his speech and brain functions are developing as normal.

Stanley’s illness was a mystery for a year as doctors struggled to pinpoint his condition.

But now he has been diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy – though tests are still being carried out to find out exactly which type of the disease he has.

Dad Robbie said: “We know that it is going to get worse. It’s a condition without a treatment or cure.

“It is a horrible discovery, but we have to be positive and the diagnosis means we can finally set about doing things which will help Stanley in the long run.”

The family has launched a massive effort to raise cash for a powered wheelchair because Stanley is too young for the NHS to provide the cash.

They are aiming to raise a grand total of £20,000.

About £16,000 would be spent on the powered wheelchair while the rest would go towards ramps, maintenance and servicing as Stanley gets older.

The family has already raised £11,000.

To find out more about Stanley’s case, or donate, visit gofundme.com/Wheels-for-Stanley