A NURSERY is fundraising to provide the best holiday it can to a one-year-old boy who is not expected to live past 18-months-old.

Laigan Hammond is well-known for being a happy baby but his parents were concerned that he could not sit up, roll over or hold his head up.

After numerous visits to health professionals, his parents Nataleigh and Lewis were told the devastating news last month that Laigan had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

The genetic disorder affects the nerves going to the muscles, leading to poor or no muscle movement, which also affects eating, breathing and swallowing. The weakness in their muscles means their airways and lungs become too weak to breath unaided and 85 per cent of babies don’t reach 18 months of age.

Laigan had gone to Banana Moon nursery in Catterick Garrison prior to his parents receiving the tragic news of his condition. Staff at the nursery are so moved by the plight of the family they are now trying to raise money for a holiday for them.

The director of the nursery, Matt Sammons, has offered them use of his parent’s holiday home in France and the nursery is now fundraising for the trip for Laigan and his entire family, including his eight-year-old sister and grandparents.

Nursery manager Kate Woolley said: “It is a degenerative disease and he has a short-time left; his family have just found out that he has the condition.

“We’re raising money to send them on a holiday because we want to create as many good memories as we can for his family as well. We want to raise money to pay for flights, a hire car and his grandparents to go along as well.”

She added: “He’s such a happy and smiley little boy and he’s really bright, but his body is not working for him or doing what he wants and he gets very frustrated. Unfortunately it’s degenerative.”

The nursery, based on Colburn Business Park, has planned a family fun day on Saturday, August 27, to raise as much money as possible.

There will be a 6am until 6pm non-stop cycle ride, which Banana Moon will sponsor at £1 per mile for those participating, as well as a “cycle off” between the nursery manager and director. The loser of the race will endure an ice tub plunge.

There will also be a raffle, barbecue, cakes, face painting and other events. Anyone who can help should ring Kate or Matthew on 01748-876653 or visit the Bananamoon Catterick crowdfunding page at JustGiving.com