A FAMILY that launched a £55,000 appeal to help allow their three-year-old son to lead as normal a life as possible has said it is touched by the response so far. Three-year-old Maxwell McKnight, of Nelson Road, St Neots, was born with Type II spinal musc

A FAMILY that launched a £55,000 appeal to help allow their three-year-old son to lead as normal a life as possible has said it is touched by the response so far.

Three-year-old Maxwell McKnight, of Nelson Road, St Neots, was born with Type II spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) - a genetic disorder.

It primarily affects Maxwell's motor skills and, although he attends Eaton Socon Pre-School, he lacks strength in doing day-to-day tasks and is confined to a wheelchair.

To help improve Maxwell's quality of life, his parents are hoping to raise £30,000 for a specially adapted car, which will have a lifting platform and a docking station, as well as a further £25,000 for home alterations.

This would provide a wet room and downstairs toilet big enough for wheelchair access, a stand-up chair to strengthen Maxwell's upper body and would also pay for a lift to give Maxwell access his bedroom.

So far, the family has raised £9,000. The latest donation of £4,666 was provided by The Mortgage Broker Ltd, in St Neots.

The company held its annual charity ball and raffle at the Rickety Barn, Staploe, to raise money for the youngster.

Darren Pescod, managing director of Mortgage Broker Ltd, said: "In the past I have given charitable donations to other organisations but this year I thought it would be better to pass the proceeds to a local family where we can see the direct benefit from the monies raised."

Maxwell's father, Paul McKnight, said: "We are truly touched by the generosity the people of St Neots have shown and we would like to thank Darren Pescod. We would also like to thank everyone who provided raffle prizes and brought raffle tickets."

The next fund-raising event is a women's pamper evening at Crosshall School, in Eaton Socon, on October 13.

INFORMATION: To help Maxwell, or to find out more about the pamper evening, you can visit www.maxwellmcknight.org.uk