A FUNDRAISER is taking place to raise money for a paralysed youngster.

Two-year-old Archie Adams was left unable to move from the neck down after being diagnosed with transverse myelitis following a visit to the park.

The rare condition causes spinal damage and Archie will have to undergo months of treatment and rehabilitation.

Now a fundraiser is taking place to raise money for Archie’s family to help with the costs of taking Archie to specialist appointments and to buy the equipment he will need.

Organiser Helen Hampton said she felt she had to do something for the family after experiencing the trauma of seeing her own child in hospital.

The 45-year-old from Portswood said: “I don’t know the family that well but when I heard what had happened I felt terribly sorry for them.

“My daughter went on a two week holiday in South Africa and bumped her head and was in a coma for three weeks.

“We were told to prepare for the worst, she had surgery and a fractured skull.”

But her daughter is now on the mend, and she realised how fortunate they were to have got their daughter back and felt she wanted to do something for Archie who doctors also had to fight to keep alive after he was first diagnosed.

She said: “We were so lucky and when it happens to you it makes you realise how lucky you are.”

The fundraiser is taking place at the on Saturday February 20 at the Gordon Arms in Portswood from 3pm.

There will be live music from local bands including Soul & Fire and The Flying Alexander’s, as well as an Elvis Presley tribute artist.

There will also be a DJ and a special prize raffle.

Helen added: “It started off as a little thing that snowballed somewhat, there are so many people who want to help him.”

An online donation page has also been set up at gofundme.com/archieadams. for Archie for anyone who would like to give money to help the youngster.

So far more than £7,000 has been given.