A TOWN has backed a youngster facing a hereditary disease by sporting orange in its schools, shops, and local businesses.

Children and teachers at King Street Primary School in Spennymoor dressed in orange and joined Muscular Dystrophy UK’s national Go Orange for a Day event in honour of year three pupil Louis Jackson.

Louis was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy in June 2015, at just three-years-old.

The disease is a condition which gradually causes the muscles to weaken and can sometimes be life-threatening.

Among those donning an orange outfit was the seven-year-old’s brother William, who wanted to raise awareness of the condition.

William – who also goes to King Street Primary School – said he wanted to become a biomedical scientist when he grows up and find a cure for his brother’s condition.

He said: “I think the day has been amazing because all of the Spennymoor schools have got involved.

“We’ve gotten so much support I didn’t expect half as much, I hope we can do it next year.”

The event planned to raise awareness of the disease and raise money for fundraising campaign – the Love for Louis Family Fund.

The community aimed to raise £5,000 to fund a month of research into the condition – which currently has now cure.

Headteacher at the school Joanne Bromley hopes to stage the event every year and said she was very proud of the children and staff for taking part.

She said: “Louis is a very spirited and determined little boy and has loved today, he really has thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Raising awareness is important because the disease affects people in our local community, including Louis, and he will not be the only one. It’s a very close charity to us and we’re fully behind it.”

Other schools supporting the day included Middlestone Moor Primary School who held a special assembly explaining the disease and asked their children to sport a orange outfit in support of Louis.

School headteacher Helen Wilson said: “The Spennymoor schools work very closely together and there’s a fantastic sense of community between the schools.

“The assembly really touched the children and as a school we really want to support people in the area including Louis.”

The town hall was lit orange in support of the day, other buildings such as Spennymoor Fire Station were also washed with orange light.