A BRAVE little boy who suffers from a rare neurological disorder is to receive life-changing equipment thanks to support from the Inverclyde community.

Four-year-old Adam Rafferty, from Wemyss Bay, is unable to speak and suffers from epilepsy because of Sturge-Weber syndrome and athetoid cerebral palsy.

His parents Wendy, 33, and Andrew, 31, say they have been left blown away after The Tontine Hotel in Greenock hosted a ladies day earlier this month to help buy Adam a specialist bike.

Wendy, who is Adam’s full-time carer, said: “Adam loves being outdoors and myself and Andrew are looking to purchase a special needs bike that we can ride.

“The bikes have to be imported and can cost between £1,500 and £4,000. 

“When Laura Docherty from the Tontine suggested the ladies day we were so grateful and this gave us opportunity to raise funds for Adam’s bike. 

“Without everyone’s donations and help on the day we couldn’t have raised so much. 

“I can’t thank everyone who came along enough. They were all so generous and kind.

“I can’t wait to get Adam his bike. He will be thrilled.”

Adam was less than a year old when he was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome – a rare condition which stunts the development of blood vessels in the brain, leaving parts of it calcified and rock-hard.

Despite his condition, Wendy says little Adam is thriving and loves attending Hillend Children’s Centre in Greenock.

She said: “Adam was born with a port wine birthmark on his face and scalp.

“At the age of 10 months, Adam had an MRI scan after seizures and it confirmed that he indeed had Sturge-Weber syndrome.

“This also causes Adam to have epilepsy and development delay. 

“When he was two he was also diagnosed with a movement disorder, causing him to have a form of athetoid cerebral palsy. 

“This means Adam struggles to walk and uses a wheelchair when out.

“He takes lots of different medication throughout the day to control his epilepsy and prevent blood clots of the brain. 

“He cannot speak but makes lots of noise to let us know what he wants. 

“He attends a neurologist and other clinics at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow but he takes it all in his stride - he is a very happy loving boy and loves going to nursery and seeing his friends.

“Adam has attended Hillend since he was two and the nursery and staff are just fabulous with all the kids, they provide support to the children and their parents and we would be lost without them.”

The family, who live in Kilchattan Place, were thrilled with the success of the Ladies Day at the Tontine, which raised £2,577.

The cash has been split between Adam and the Hillend Children’s Centre.

Wendy said: “On the day we announced to everyone there was going to be a male VIP arriving and we held a bid to have your picture and a meet with the VIP. 

“Hayley Mcfarlane and her table of ladies made the highest bid of £175 and we then revealed the VIP. 

“In came the VIP – Adam himself accompanied by his dad and grandads John and Sam who brought him along. 

“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. 

“We wanted people to meet Adam to see who the funds were helping. Without everyone’s donations and help on the day we couldn’t have raised so much. I can’t thank everyone who came along enough.”

Wendy was keen to thank The Tontine Hotel for their support.

She said: “The Tontine provided a beautiful day with a meal and a glass of fizz for all 207 ladies in attendance. 

“Local companies donated raffle prizes along with friends and neighbours, ladies on the day also brought along gifts for the raffle. 

“Local band Earl Blue and The Sessions played and had the dancefloor packed all day. 

“Local videographer Mark Harrison at Weddings Live donated his time and came along to capture the day for us.”

She was also keen to thank Adam’s aunty Bethany and Amy, who helped out on the day, along with other family friends.

Using some of the funds raised at the event, Adam is now going to take all his friends with additional needs from the nursery to the cinema for a fun day.