A MOTHER is appealing for help to buy an off roader wheelchair for her young son who suffers from an incurable muscle wasting condition.

Rachael Yates wants to ensure that eight-year-old Alfie can continue to enjoy the outdoor adventures he loves.

Alfie was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was three years old. The sport-loving youngster is expected to be in a wheelchair by the end of next year and is not expected to survive beyond his late teens or early 20s.

Rachael said: "DMD is a genetic condition which affects approximately 2500 boys in the UK each year. It means that Alfie cannot produce dystrophin, a protein that we all need to build up and protect our muscles. As a result, every muscle in his body is deteriorating. We are advised that he will be in a wheelchair by the end of next year, he will suffer from respiratory failure, heart failure and other debilitating orthopaedic conditions and we will lose him in his late teens or early 20s. There is no cure for DMD.

"Since diagnosis, our focus has been on quality of life. We look to ensure that Alfie gets to experience as much as possible. He played in a hockey tournament last year, he climbed a mountain in the Lakes in April, he was mascot at a Leeds Carnegie game at the end of last season - something he was keen to do whilst he could still walk on to the pitch himself. This summer he walked a section of the Pembrokeshire coastline, he mastered stone skimming on the beach and swimming under water.

"We are determined to ensure that we can all continue to enjoy adventures in the great outdoors and for that Alfie needs a proper off roader wheelchair. The Boma 7 is the only true off roader that will enable us to continue to climb those mountains and access a beach, but at a cost of £12k plus - which yes, I know, is more expensive than some cars - we need to raise the funds to get this wheelchair for Alfie."

At the weekend the Yates family took part in the Nottingham Robin Hood race event. Alfie's dad Samuel ran his first marathon, Rachael ran a half marathon, Alfie's four-year-old brother Oli ran a mini marathon and Alfie himself managed to walk the entire mini marathon course.

The family, from Horsforth, have now raised more than £8,000 toward the cost of the Boma 7, but still have some way to go.

They are appealing to people to support a fund-raising open day at the Rory James Salon on Long Row in Horsforth which is being held in support of the appeal. The event will take place from 10am to 2pm on Sunday , October 26. All proceeds from any appointments are being donated towards the Boma 7.

The family has a web page at www.justgiving.com/alfieyates2014

Alfie's dad Samuel said: "At the age of eight and after five years of doing brilliantly, Alfie is now entering a particularly challenging transition stage as he becomes increasingly dependent upon his wheelchair. Getting up and down stairs is now almost impossible. More and more physical activities, outdoor and indoor fun and games are becoming unmanageable and this is heart breaking for Alfie and those that care about him."