A MUM has launched a huge bid to raise £35,000 to help her five-year-old son walk.

Tommy Turner was born prematurely at 32 weeks.

Doctors later found he had cerebral palsy, autism and a heart condition which means his heart beats too fast.

As a result he doesn’t talk and relies on a wheelchair to get around.

Mum Louise Turner, 38, of Hillside Road, Southminster, has now launched a fundraising bid so Tommy, who goes to Southview school in Witham, can have specialist physiotherapy.

She said: “It was quite a difficult pregnancy, I was in and out of hospital a lot.

“When he was coming up to a year, I noticed no development.

“Then, at around 14 months, he had a seizure which meant that we took him to hospital for scans.

“Great Ormond street said that they weren’t sure if he would be able to walk.”

But brave Tommy, who loves anything Disney, has surprised everyone by taking his first steps thanks to physiotherapy.

Mrs Turner added: “In the last few months, he has been taking a few steps around the house thanks to his physio.

“It’s hard really, as I’ve worked with special needs children before. To start, you’re a little bit in denial.

“But you go through that and it’s a bit upsetting having to change all the expectations and the milestones.

“The other day, we parked in Tesco and he held my hand and we walked all the way from the car to the front of the store.

“I mean most parents do that all the time with their children but it feels so much greater in this situation.”

Mrs Turner wants to raise £35,000 in the long term to help with Tommy’s development and will continue fundraising throughout his life.

Around £15,000 will be used to adapt their home so it can be fitted with a downstairs bedroom and wet room.

The remaining £20,000 would be for Tommy’s continued physiotherapy to help him walk.

Mrs Turner hopes to also be given grants and subsidies from the council.

To kickstart the fundraising Mrs Turner and friend Laura Hartnoll are organising an event at The Red Lion in Latchingdon.

Several businesses in the area, including Go Bonkers and Stitch-Print, are helping too.

On the day there will be a face painter, boozy bucket, sponge throwing, karaoke with a twist, cakes and a raffle.

Mrs Turner added: “It’s amazing when you go out and ask people how willing they are to help.

“Once you go into parent mode, you just want to do everything you can to help.

The event will be at the pub in The Street on Saturday, September 1 from 2pm.

The charity that is supporting Tommy as well as providing physiotherapy is Tree of Hope.

If not enough is raised, the family has promised that any contributions will go to this charity.

For details, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tommy-andrew-turner.