THE mum of a 12-year-old with a rare condition has thanked an intrepid fundraiser for helping to provide precious respite care.

Andrina Freeman’s son Daniel was born with Joubert syndrome, which has caused blindness and hampered his development.

Every Christmas, her friend Ian Reading, owner of Bar Zero, in Billericay, holds a fundraiser for the Southend Toy Library - which gives the family a break from caring 24/7 for Daniel.

He said: “Every year we decorate the house and the front garden with lots of Christmas lights. I put collection pots around and collect money from people who like to see our display.

“I have a radio station called Zero Radio, which goes out on Sundays from 7pm to 9pm, and I have a lot of Canadian listeners who this year donated an amazing $1,000. Local businesses and people have made donations of £50 and £100.

“When Daniel was born he was blind and then about three weeks later Andrina was told he had a rare disease. They were told he wouldn’t live past three and would never walk and talk, but he is 12 now and he is walking and talking.”

All the money goes to Southend Toy Library, giving families the chance to do the things most people take for granted.

Mr Reading, of Main Road, Hockley, said: “One day Andrina came to me and said: ‘guess what - I’m going to a ball’ and I wondered why she was so excited then I realised she hadn’t got Daniel because he was at the Southend Toy Library. They take children for respite.

“The charity only needs £16,000 a year to run. The lovely lady that runs it takes children for 24 hours to give parents a normal life.

Andrina Freeman, 40, of Folly Lane, Hockley said: “As parents it’s quite important we get respite care for Daniel. Southend Toy Library takes him for up to four days a year respite. This give us a chance to do things with our other children - Remy, 14 and Zak, four.

“What Ian has done is fantastic. He’s raised so much. It’s thanks to people like Ian that I can have three or four days of my life.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Ian-Reading5