A FAMILY say they are overwhelmed and amazed by the community's support for their brave boy.

Taylor Smith, 11, has extremely rare "childhood Alzheimer's" and his condition has deteriorated.

The Barrow lad has Niemann-Pick disease Type C, a life-limiting genetic disease which affects the brain and mobility. The disease has progressed and his family have been told he may only have several years left with his loved ones.

The youngster now rarely speaks and he also suffers seizures and struggles to swallow.

Taylor's aunt, Paula O'Hara, set up the Taylor's New Wheels GoFundMe.com page to upgrade his wheelchair for something more suitable for his needs.

They want a bigger and more comfortable wheelchair, with a headrest and rain shield, that is motorised to allow him to lie back.

Last weekend the Evening Mail reported that the family were £380 off their £2,500 target.

This led to an influx of new pledges, including £300 from Barrow company JD Motors, and anonymous donations handed in at The Evening Mail office, one containing several hundred pounds.

The family has expressed their gratitude to everyone who is helping Taylor.

They are in talks with wheelchair manufacturers and as the fund has exceeded the target they are going to look to buying sensory equipment for Taylor and 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 it had been heartbreaking to see her son's deterioration and dementia set in. She says the family are packing his time with activities and creating memories for his brothers.

The grateful mum said: "This is so overwhelming. People are amazing. Thank you."

Paula O'Hara said: "We are shocked and amazed by how this little town has come together like this for Taylor. The generosity is amazing."

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.

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