AN East End community has come together to help fund a specialised car seat for a schoolboy who is suffering from a rare disorder.

Brave John Stoddart has been diagnosed with a rare form of a condition known as mitochondrial disorder.

The eight-year-old, from Dalmarnock, has been in and out of hospital since birth with doctors finding it difficult to diagnose his symptoms.

Mum Kimberley explained: “It is really complex with my son and there is no cure for it.

“He has epilepsy as well and because his condition is so rare everything is trial and error. Nobody knows what they are doing or what they are facing.”

His condition means John cannot walk, talk or control his movements, and he suffers many other health-related difficulties.

Kimberley said: “John is a deep wee boy. It is like he is older than his years. I don’t know if that is because all he has been through.

“He is a total wee character. It can be difficult for him to smile because he can’t control his movements but when he does, his wee eyes light up.”

The family, including dad John, brother Jamie, 6, and Amy, 5, have therefore had to adapt to buy specialised equipment for him so that he can live as comfortably as possible.

One of the items needed to assist John in his day-to-day life is a new car seat.

But when the family inquired for a quote to buy a new car seat, they were shocked at the cost.

Kimberley said: “Recently he took a wee growth spurt. Prior to that he was getting away with using a normal baby car seat because he is really petite.

“But because he has taken this stretch, that seat isn’t supporting his spine and it’s not comfortable.

“A representative came out to give a quote, he put John into it and he was really comfortable.

“Then he gave me the quote and it was £2,800 - I couldn’t believe it.”

She added: “I thought it was going to be a couple of hundred pounds. That is when we had to ask for help as we are a private family and we have never asked for anything.

“We are trying to get other equipment to help him and it’s working out about £10,000.”

Kimberley was put in touch with Tesco Parkhead who are currently raising in-store for John and through a Crowdfunding page.

The £2,800 target has almost been achieved thanks to donations from the community and businesses in the East End

Kimberley said: “Everybody has been amazing and we have been blown away with it all.”

You can donate here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/susan-wilson-2?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Yimbyprojectpage&utm_content=susan-wilson-2&utm_campaign=projectpage-share-owner&utm_term=AYDybmWa6