Eight-year-old Matthew Rayner has a disease so rare that doctors can't put a name to it.

They are simply baffled by his condition.

But the brave youngster has not let that hold him back. Despite suffering from two brain diseases, he attends mainstream school and lives life to the full.

Now kind-hearted firefighters from Fairweather Green are helping to raise money to buy him specialist equipment to make his life at school a little easier.

Matthew's mother, Angela Rayner, 40, was full of praise for her son.

She said: "He's amazing. He's doing well at school despite his illness and doesn't let anything get him down."

Matthew, a pupil at St William's RC School, Girlington, is wheelchair-bound and, as he rarely sleeps, needs constant 24-hour attention.

He takes steroids, has no hair and has growth injections. He also has a bone missing in his leg.

Mrs Rayner said: "It is baffling what he's suffering from. We just know that there is nobody else like him in the world.

"None of the doctors know either. They just say it is so rare it is unknown."

She also praised the school.

"They have done their utmost to help William to fit in and made alterations to the school building. Of course, he is not the same as the other kids but he tries his hardest to fit in."

Matthew's father, Albert, said the problems started when Matthew was three months old and had difficulty feeding.

"All tests have not been able to come to any conclusion. It is still a disease with no name. We don't know what the future holds, we just take it day by day.

"We don't know if he will get better or worse. There is no way of predicting."

The fundraising open day will be held at Fairweather Green fire station on September 8 with activities for all the family. Pat Greenwood, station clerk, said they held an annual gala to raise money for charity.

"My little grand-daughter goes to the same school as Matthew. I thought it was a good idea to help him because he is local and such a lovely lad. He's so inquisitive and chirpy."

The firefighters aim is raise cash for equipment to make life easier at home and school. Anyone who can help is asked to call Fairweather Green fire station on (01274) 544466.

e-mail: anila.baig

@bradford.newsquest.co.uk