A FAMILY is one step closer to raising the money needed for an extension which will provide a bedroom and wet room for their disabled toddler.

Edward Hewitt, two, suffers from an unknown neurological condition as well as epilepsy, scoliosis and cerebral palsy, which means he needs constant care.

Teddy, as he is known to his family, has developmental delays, regular seizures and is unable to swallow.

He lives at home in Eastwood with his mum Nikke Hewitt, 41, siblings Elizabeth, 14, and Oliver, 11, as well as their dad.

But the family’s three-bedroom terraced house is not suitable for Teddy as he uses a wheelchair and needs to sleep downstairs.

They are aiming to raise £15,000 towards an extension and have now reached the halfway point of £7,500.

Mrs Hewitt said they have been spending time at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London recently to get treatment for Teddy.

She said: “We have spent the last 39 days in intensive care as his seizures have been uncontrolled which is causing breathing difficulties.

“Teddy has been on a ventilator for almost all of that time, he came off it on Tuesday but he is still on breathing support.

“At the moment Teddy needs anti-seizure medication, but they make him sleepy and when he is sleepy he can’t control his breathing so it’s a catch-22.

“We are desperate to get everything sorted while he is in here and being looked after as it is difficult to do anything at home as he needs so much care.”

Mr and Mrs Hewitt believe Teddy’s condition stems from him suffering a brain injury at birth, which is difficult to diagnose.

Night care is unable to start until Teddy has his own room downstairs.

Mrs Hewitt added: “We now have planning permission and building regulations are being sorted.

“Our lounge, which I sleep in with Teddy, will be his proper bedroom then part of the kitchen will be a wet room.

“I’m trying to do a mini DIY SOS, the council is willing to give us a disability facilities grant towards the cost, but it won’t cover everything and it will take a long time.”

The family held a quiz night at Trinity Social Club and a non-uniform day at Heycroft Primary School.

They hope to organise a karaoke night with a live band, but are struggling to find one with a big enough repertoire.

It is hoped the additional money can be used to fund specialist folding doors on the extension.

Mrs Hewitt said: “We are desperate for bi-folding doors across the back, we are looking for mismeasured ones or are for people selling them at cost.

“We are hoping, because Teddy can’t control his temperature, if I can open the doors it will keep him cool.

“£15,000 should be enough to get the ball rolling and the council should assist us with the rest.”

Teddy is now part of the 100,000 Genome Project, which sequences 100,000 genomes from around 70,000 people.

Participants are NHS patients with a rare disease, plus their families and patients with cancer.

The aim is to create a new genomic medicine service for the NHS.

To donate to the family’s cause and help them raise more funds to help Teddy, visit gofundme.com/3sdybvs