A WEE COUNTY youngster affected by a severe lifelong condition, and his family, were the recipients of a generous donation ahead of Christmas.

Lachlan Morris, who has been living with severe cerebral palsy since birth, requires specialist equipment to make every day tasks a little bit easier and more enjoyable.

And as any 10-year-old, he is hoping to be as independent from mum Susan and dad Paul as possible.

However, the cost of the gear can run into the thousands and the family have been appealing for funds for around two years now.

A height-adjustable bath would cost somewhere around £6,000-£8,000 while an eye-gaze device and tablet, which he can use to communicate, has recently been purchased for around £2,500.

Other items included an off-road wheelchair, which allows the youngster to access the outdoors and enjoy the natural surroundings, which cost just under £3,000.

They are just past the halfway mark towards their £20,000 target and to help their efforts, the Rotary Club of Alloa has recently stepped in with a £500 donation.

Presenting the cheque to the family was past president Hector Nicolson, who said: “Whilst recognising that the Rotary Club donation can't possibly meet all of the expense which will ultimately be met by the Morris family, it will go some way to making Lachlan's familiar surroundings more comfortable and give him a degree of independence.”

Dad Paul and mum Susan accepted the generous donation and thanked the local club for rallying around.

He added: “We have been working towards our total for some time, and every penny helps.

“Already we have been able to fund an offroad wheelchair for Lachlan and every penny is now focussed on equipment to support him in our home.

“This includes a specialist bath, a contribution towards a special toilet, a bespoke armchair and a reserve eye gaze device for communication.

“The cost of disability is extremely high. Much of the equipment we have identified to make Lachlan’s life better is not funded by public agencies.

“Where we can we want to give him the best quality of life possible and donations such as this from the Rotary Club are most welcome.”

Current Rotary president Kevin McLeod added that when the family's application was considered, “all members that these funds would hopefully help make a difference to a member of our local community and his family”.

To support the family, visit gofundme.com/lachlanmorris and find the Rotary Club of Alloa on Facebook.