These heartbreaking pictures show the struggle facing a little boy who has a severe condition that causes his skin to fall off at the slightest touch.
Rhys Williams, 11, suffers with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa – a genetic condition that has a high chance of developing into a form of aggressive skin cancer.
The youngster has to use a wheelchair as his legs cannot straigten out due to fusing of the skin at the back of his knees.
His parents, who care for Rhys full-time and got married after he said it was on his bucket list to be at their wedding, have to change his bandages three times a day.
Mum Tanya Williams, 33, said: “His condition causes his skin to fall off or blister at the slightest touch.
“His fingers have webbed and his hands fused.
“He’s very caring towards others and always puts his needs last.
“Rhys is always smiling no matter how much pain he is in.
“He’s also strong minded, he puts on a front when around friends and smiles even though deep down he’s hurting.
“He saves it all for when he’s home but even then he smiles.”
Rhys, who has two sisters and a half-brother, recently started playing powerchair football and needs a special wheelchair to join in.
Tanya said up until her son was introduced to the game “he had nothing to look forward to”.
Mrs Williams, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, said: “Since joining wheelchair football he has something to look forward to in life.
“He currently shares a chair so he is not getting the full benefit.”
In a bid to help Rhys follow his passion and keep the smile on his face, community group Biker Family Support are trying to raise £2,500 to buy him his own wheelchair, a Storm three Competition Power Chair.
The group of bikers, who help charitable causes, met Mrs Williams and went to watch Rhys play powered football.
Julie Ainsworth from the group, said: “When we went to watch Rhys play, after seeing the determination, enthusiasm, passion and out right joy on his face we wished to help.
“We just want to give Rhys a Christmas to remember and get him well on his way to his own chair.”
A crowdfunding page has been launched for Rhys’ fund with £750 raised so far and further money collected at a fundraiser.
Mrs Williams, who married dad Mark, 49, last year, is also doing a head shave in January for her son’s cause, alongside a group of friends.
To donate to Rhys’ cause, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RhystheEBfighter
