ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Tomas Mayers will have to live his short life confined to a wheelchair, reliant on his mum, family and friends to help with every day tasks.

His condition – Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) – is life-limiting and most people with DMD will not live into their late 20s.

The genetic condition mainly affects boys – although it can also be found in girls – causing muscle weakness. This not only makes walking difficult – a wheelchair is soon necessary – but causes complications with bones and joints, breathing and the heart.

Tomas, like most with DMD, had no signs of the condition at birth but has deteriorated as he’s grown older.

“He was diagnosed in May 2008 – he had been crying and falling over a lot when he was walking,” his mum Tracy James told The Hunts Post. “I’m still recovering from the shock four years later.”

She added: “A year after he was diagnosed he went into a manual wheelchair and a year later he went into a powered wheelchair and could only walk small distances around the house. This year he’s stopped walking and we’ve needed ramps at the house and a hoist to help Tomas into bed and the shower.”

Tracy, of Boothe Close, Stukeley Meadows, said Tomas’ school – Stukeley Meadows Primary School – had been fantatsic adapting to her son’s needs.

However, there are still things Tomas needs as DMD continues its degenerative affects, including a new powered wheelchair that will give him greater independence. The �20,000 chair, which is not available on the NHS, can even move into an upright position so Tomas can be on eye-level with his peers.

And this is why Tracy’s family and friends are working together to organise a fundraising event at Huntingdon Town Hall on Saturday, November 10. The evening out will include an auction, meal and raffle – with some fabulous goods available to buy.

It’s being organised by Huntingdon town councillors Tanya Foster along with Jennifer Sarabia along with Tracy’s sister, Jackie Buckley.

Already the list of auction lots includes tickets to high profile television shows, including Dancing on Ice and QI and the chance of a meet and greet with Jonathan Ross before watching his show. There’s also a signed photograph of the Arsenal football squad, a television, photography vouchers, camera, signed books, wine, a painting, and a tour of the BBC.

INFORMATION: Tickets are �15 and include a three-course buffet. Wine and beer will be available to buy. Book tickets by e-mailing tomsfundraising@gmail.com. You can also e-mail this address to get a list of the top 20 lots and to place your bid.