A FUNDRAISER has enabled a youngster to have access to state-of-the-art equipment to help him to stand up and walk.

Little Alfie Cannon, who is three, was born with leukodystrophy, a rare genetic condition which affects his brain and spinal cord.

He is unable to walk or talk unaided and has to undergo regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

His family organised a fundraising disco at the Lock and Barrel pub in Frinton and raised more than £2,000 to buy a top-of-the-range walker.

His grandmother Jackie Cannon said she was overwhelmed at how the evening went.

She said: “It was absolutely amazing and overwhelming.

“We didn’t even think we would raise that much money.

“We raised more than £500 from selling raffle tickets alone.”

The event saw about 150 people enjoy a night of entertainment hosted by DJ Terry Belcher and an auction with prizes which had been donated by businesses.

Jackie said: “When we first started this we wouldn’t have thought we could have raised even £500, we thought that would be been amazing.

“But when we counted it all it was £2,020 which we were blown away by. It’s so wonderful.”

The funds will now be used for Alfie, from Frinton, to have a walker built specifically for him which he will be able to use in the new year.

Jackie said: “We always needed the walker for Alfie but we were waiting for funding from a charity or an event.

“The walker will support him from the top of his legs and strap his ankles in which will hold him up.”

The walker will help support Alfie’s core, legs and muscles allowing him to stand up and hopefully encourage him to take a few steps.

Jackie added: “It was just lovely to see everyone there.

“I was overwhelmed with the amount of people buying tickets and putting money into the donation buckets and that was mostly from people we didn’t know. It was just brilliant.”