A KIND-HEARTED Gypsy is taking on a Bear Grylls-style challenge to raise money for a young boy with an illness so rare it doesn’t have a name.

Jack Harrop, 22, and friend Jack Oliphont, also 22, will be living “in the wild” for 48 hours next week, without food, water or camping equipment.

They will take only a handful of basic tools and will have to source his own food and build a shelter to sleep in.

The sponsored challenge has already raised nearly £1,000 for four-year-old Cooper Jack Guthrie, from Spennymoor.

The youngster has a genetic disorder and a mitochondrial fault, both of which are so rare they have not been named.

Cooper’s mother, Kelly Short praised Mr Harrop and Mr Oliphont’s mission to raise money for her son to help them adapt the family home.

She said: “It is amazing that Jack, a complete stranger, has been touched by Cooper’s story.

“Cooper is four years old and an amazingly happy little “big” boy who loves life.

“He loves music, especially pop music and he loves the girls and adores watching his iPad.

“However life has been unfair and he has a genetic problem, so rare it’s not named, coupled with a mitochondrial fault.

“It means his muscles do not work. He needs help to breathe, eat and do anything with his limbs. He cannot even hold his own head up.”

She added: “Cooper very much takes after his dad and sister and is very tall. We need DIY SOS style works to the house which will allow us to safely look after Cooper for as long as we have him.”

Cooper’s condition is thought to be progressive by his mitochondrial consultant.

Mr Harrop, of Bishop Auckland, said: “When I heard about Cooper’s story I knew I wanted to do something to try and help.

“I was asking for ideas about what I could do to raise money for him and somebody suggested a Bear Grylls-style survival challenge.

“Jack and I will be going camping for two days with pretty much nothing. We're going to film the whole thing so people can follow us and see how we get on.

“We've nearly raised £1,000 so far but would love to raise more for Cooper and his family.

"We know it's going to be difficult but we want to try and help change his life."

The landscape gardener added: "I have two children of my own and I would do absolutely anything for them, Cooper is just a little boy who needs help and we want to give it to him."

The survival challenge is Mr Harrop's second charity feat, he also slept on the streets to raise money for the homeless earlier this year.

His latest challenge will begin at 10am on Saturday, August 3. To donate visit justgiving.com and search Cooper Jack Guthrie.