DISABLED schoolboy Daniel McAleavy has been given a £5,400 grant to help him achieve his dream of putting on a variety show.

Daniel, 12, of King's Wall, Malmesbury, is a pupil at the town's school.

His mum, Chris, applied for the grant to perform a multi-media show for disabled and able-bodied people.

She said she was surprised and delighted to find out it had been successful. Now, the family has eight months to put together the show.

Daniel is one of 20 national winners to receive a Whizz-Kids charity No Limits Millennium Award.

His award forms the first round of national awards and other grants are to be made.

The show will include aspects of dance, music, trick photography and video production.

"His main interest is in drama, he loves going to the theatre, shows, plays and musicals" said Mrs McAleavy.

She is delighted he is now being given the chance to put on his own show. "If it's successful it will really give Daniel a big boost."

Mrs McAleavy, who cares full-time for her son, said part of the grant would pay for a mentor, through the No Limits Award, to help Daniel in putting the show together.

Daniel is also to go on a weekend course in January to introduce him to many of the skills required.

His mum said he wants his show to include comedy, slapstick, dance and puppeteering, and said plenty of people had already expressed an interest in taking part, including Daniel's twin brother, Patrick, who is able-bodied. His sister, Rachel, 16, is also a pupil at Malmesbury School.

"This will be great experience for Daniel and he will get a huge sense of achievement," added Mrs McAleavy.

"We are going to get together a group of disabled and able-bodied children and the money will be spent on specialist tutors to help them develop the skills required."

She said Daniel first became involved with The No Limits Awards in February last year, when he was given a tandem bike.

"Daniel cannot walk unaided, he uses a wheelchair, walking frame or tricycle," said Mrs McAleavy.

"Whizz-Kids is a wonderful charity which had Daniel on its records and donated the bike.

"It's a two-wheeler tandem bike, which means Daniel can go out cycling in the countryside with his dad, Tony, which is marvellous for him."

Daniel is one of a number of children with cerebral palsy at Malmesbury School.

He moved on to the school last year after studying at Malmesbury Primary School.

His mum said he also enjoys swimming, and regularly goes to the pool at Burton Hill House School. The No Limits Awards are designed to provide grants for disabled people aged between 1218, who want to develop a project.