A FATHER is wearing a special helmet around the clock to raise money and awareness of a relatively rare condition that left his little son with a misshapen head.

Five-month-old Alfie Hamilton was diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly and brachycephaly – often called “flathead syndrome” – which can lead to permanent disfigurement.

For the last three weeks the youngster has been wearing a specially designed helmet, made by Technology in Motion, and already his family has noticed a difference.

The special helmets cost £1,950 and Alfie’s parents Michelle, 28, and Gary, 36, are aiming to raise awareness and £5,000 to help other families in the same situation through The Alfie Fund, which they have set up.

And 60m world record holding sprinter Richard Kilty called into Middlesbrough Sports Village to show his support for Mr Hamilton, a business development manager for Middlesbrough Council’s sports and leisure service.

Alfie's father said: “I will be expected to wear the helmet from the moment I get up on the morning to when I go to bed at night.

“This means that I will be wearing the helmet for day-to-day activities, work and for leisure. I have a sporting helmet similar to the one worn by the Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech for when I am doing any sport or fitness.

“Also there will be a spare helmet that will be branded up which sporting celebs and anybody who wants to support the charity can wear to help raise awareness.

“Throughout the month I will be taking on some challenges and meeting some of the sporting celebs who are supporting the charity.”

The Alfie Fund has already received the support of some of Teesside’s biggest sporting names, including former Boro players Stewart Downing, Craig Hignett and Gary Pallister, who have given their backing.

Helmet treatment, as it is known, is not funded by the NHS as it is regarded as cosmetic and it is felt there is not enough evidence yet to support its benefits, despite “flathead syndrome” being a recognised condition.

Mum Michelle added: “If left untreated it could cause permanent disfigurements such as eyes and ears misalignment, which could cause problems if Alfie needed glasses in the future.

“It can also cause jaw misalignment, which could result in dental problems. Also when the skull is severely misshaped problems can occur such as not being able to wear a safety helmet when required for activities such as riding a bike.”

To donate visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/gary-hamilton-1 and to check on Gary and Alfie’s progress visit facebook.com/AlfieFund