Firefighters from Swindon have helped the parents of a disabled youngster move a step closer to buying him a specially made bicycle for Christmas.

Jackie and Kevin Dawson have been trying to raise £750 to buy the new bike for their son Charlie, five, who suffers from a rare condition, paroxysmal non-kinesogenic choreoathetosis, which causes painful cramp attacks throughout his body and also affects his balance, speech and co-ordination to such an extent that he cannot walk unaided.

The firefighters presented a £200 cheque to Jackie and Kevin, who have now almost raised enough cash to buy the bike. They raised the money by charging parking fees at the fire station during match days.

This will be put together with the proceeds of a 12-mile sponsored walk around Coate Water at the end of last month, which was supported by 15 people.

Jackie said: "Words cannot say how grateful we are for all the help we have received."