A MUM striving to fund £30,000 worth of therapy for her disabled son has been rocked by a pair of fraudsters using his name to con strangers.

Riley Garner, who is six, has severe cerebral palsy.

Following selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery last March, he is like a newborn child relearning to use the muscles in his legs.

The groundbreaking operation relieved Riley of his muscle spasticity, but a week’s worth of physiotherapy every three months currently costs just under £1,000 at a centre in Basingstoke.

Mum Aline Garner, 30, of Kirby Cross, relies on donations through the official charity, Riley’s Superstar Fund, and regular fundraising events.

She was horrified to discover the public are being approached by a pair of women claiming to be working with the family.

CCTV captured at a shop at Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton, showed a woman collecting raffle prizes on Friday, May 5.

Working in a pair, the women had also sold fake raffle tickets at the Late Riser car boot sale the previous weekend in London Road, Clacton, publicising made-up events at Rush Green Football Club and raffle draws in The Royal Albion, in Walton.

She said: “They’ve sold at least £40 to £50 of raffle tickets which may not seem like a lot, but it’s an hour of therapy for Riley. We really struggle as it is so to be hit with this is hard.

“We’re now going to have to change our logo unfortunately, which is frustrating because we’ve used it for the past three years.

“Locally the descriptions are that it’s a larger lady, of maybe a size 16, in her 50s to 60s with short blonde-grey hair who looks dishevelled, and there’s a slightly younger woman with her.”

This latest blow follows an armed robbery at Aline’s mum and stepfather’s home, in Walton, on March 3, where a safe containing about £600 for Riley was stolen.

A gang of four or five men broke into the home and demanded Jane Robinson and Howard Stapleton, who are aged in their 60s, opened the safe.

They were asleep when the gang, who it is believed were armed with knives, raided their home.

Aline said: “To wake up with four people stood over you in balaclavas is terrifying.

“The safe had my late father’s war medals in there, but also one of our charity pots. I thought my mum’s house would be the best place to keep it.”

To recoup funds for therapy, the family is hosting Riley’s Superstar Concert featuring 12-year-old sister Faith-Louise and other acts.

It will take place on May 27 at Clacton Coastal Academy, in Clacton, starting at 7.30pm.

Businesses are being urged to step forward as event sponsors, but also to donate raffle prizes to keep costs low.

She said: “Riley has a physio session booked in June and if we don’t make any money on the concert, he won’t have anymore therapy, which is something he’ll need his whole life.

“The intense conditioning and strengthening is to recondition part of the brain which is damaged and for his brain to relearn how to do these movements things again.

“Each time we see his therapist, he comments on the fact he’s a different child, not just physically, but mentally.

“Cognitively he’s changing so much - it’s made a massive difference to his life.”

Essex Police is investigating both crimes and have appealed for anyone with information about either to contact them on 101.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Tim Coyles, said about the aggravated burglary: “We believe this group of men made off in a white Smart car and are particularly keen to trace it.

“If anyone saw a vehicle like this in the area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm I would urge them to get in contact with us. Also if you’ve noticed a white Smart car parked near you where there isn’t one usually, call us on 101.”

“This was a frightening incident for the people living at this address and it’s really important we catch the people responsible.”

Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.