A GRATEFUL family has said a huge thank you to everyone who have helped their brave boy get his new wheels.

Taylor Smith, who has an extremely rare and life-limiting "childhood Alzheimer's" condition, has a brand new wheelchair to better suit his needs thanks to the support of the community.

The 11-year-old Barrow lad has Niemann-Pick disease Type C, a genetic disease which affects the brain and mobility.

The disease has progressed and Taylor's family are having to deal with the heartbreaking situation that Taylor may only have several years left with his loved ones.

His condition has deteriorated and he is now being fed through a tube. He has numerous seizures each day and now no longer speaks.

The community got fully behind the family to support the Taylor's New Wheels appeal. They managed to raise £2,600 to upgrade his basic and small wheelchair to a bigger and more comfortable model, that allows him to lie back and support his head. It also has a full rain shield.

A generous anonymous donor left £525 in an envelope at the Evening Mail office for Taylor. Butterfly Hugs, a south Cumbria group which supports families of those battling life-limiting conditions, gave £500, and JD Motors of Barrow donated £300. These donations were added to those made by individuals and family members.

The family is also going to buy sensory equipment to make Taylor a sensory den at home. They also want to provide experiences for Taylor and his brothers Keelan, 13, and Ashton, five, to create memories for the boys.

Taylor's mum, Stephanie O'Hara, 30, said: "Thank you so much to everyone, this will make such a massive difference to Taylor.

"He is so much more comfortable in his new wheelchair. The other wheelchair was small and basic. We want to make Taylor happy and make lovely memories."

Miss O'Hara said everyone was so generous. Of the anonymous benefactor, she said: "I would like to meet them and say thank you."

Taylor's auntie Paula O'Hara, said: "We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has help us get Taylor's new wheelchair. It is so much better for Taylor and his needs."

Taylor is a huge fan of fireworks, songs and motorbikes.

He is in for a great treat next week when he and his brothers will be going to Disneylnd, Paris, where there will be a big fireworks display. This trip has been funded by their mum.

Over the years, the family have raised money towards awareness of the disease, but recently they have concentrated on the wheelchair fund.

Taylor is a pupil at George Hastwell School and he is a patient at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Mum campaigns to find a cure for her son, Taylor