A COMMUNITY has come together to raise enough money to buy a boy his wheelchair.

Kai Monroe, aged nine, from Darlington, suffered from meningitis as a youngster, which resulted in him having his leg amputated.

Although the youngster now has a prosthetic leg, he still faces problems with pains and his mobility.

His neighbour, roofer Paul Rowland, decided to take action for Kai after talking to him and set out to raise money for the boy's cause.

Over the last few months, the 35-year-old has been fundraising for a new wheelchair through numerous events and efforts.

Mr Rowland said: "It’s really good how the community came together for him.

“We took him to MMA fights in Middlesbrough and did some fundraising for him there.

"We held a big raffle in Darlington where businesses donated prizes. A local gym donated a free sports massage, another business donated a bouncy castle. We've had everything.

“He’s a local lad and I just wanted to do something to improve his life. To see the little boy happy was even better."

The money raised through the fundraising efforts meant Mr Rowland could buy Kai a bright yellow folding electric wheelchair.

Mr Rowland said he was delighted with the generosity of those who donated to Kai's fund and the local businesses who stepped up to sponsor the effort.

He said: "It's just great. A lot of businesses came forward to help with the raffle.

"Kai's just a good lad on the estate that needed some help and we wanted to go out and help him.

“People should know that there’s some real good support out there for you if you need it.

"It's just been brilliant, really brilliant."