THE parents of a severely disabled boy have launched a fundraising campaign to buy a specialised car seat to transport him safely.

Three-year-old Liam Jefferson of West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy was born at just 27 weeks.

His father Paul Jefferson of Stanley, and mother Leanne Hull-McKay are aiming to raise about £5,000 for the seat, as well as a trike and other equipment, to make his life easier.

Miss Hull-McKay said: “Liam was a very early baby and was born by emergency caesarean section at 27 weeks.

“After 16 weeks in special care our baby could come home, with a feeding tube known as a nasal gastric tube.

“Liam was only home three days before he had to be admitted back into hospital. Then after a two-week stay we were back home again, but this time he was on oxygen 24 hours a day.”

In January 2014 the parents were told Liam had quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy.

Miss Hull-McKay said: “We were devastated. We were told to take it day-by-day and to try not to look to far into future.

“Our consultant told us that the that as Liam was unable to sit unaided, there was more likelihood he would never walk.”

Liam has two older sisters Paige, 13, and Leonie, seven, as well as 18-month-old brother Luke, who also has cerebral palsy, after being born at 25 weeks.

Miss Hull-McKay said: “Liam goes to Durham Trinity School which caters for people with special needs. The car seat we have is not suited to his requirements.

“He needs a specialised seat which provides him with proper support, but the NHS does not fund it, so we are going to have to buy it ourselves.

“It will last him until he is 12 years old.

“We also want to buy him an adapted trike, so he can play in the garden with his sisters.”

Liam’s family have launched a Facebook page "Liam has cerebral palsy" and plan to hold a Halloween Fancy Dress Party at the Garden Farm pub in Chester-le-Street on October 31. More details will follow.

Their fundraising page can be found at http://www.gofundme.com/ug4v8ggs