15-month-old Ryan Stanford has been diagnosed with Alper's Disease – so rare it only effects one in 200,000 children.

The previously healthy tot contracted the condition after a stomach bug and has been left so ill he cannot support his own head.

His mum Anne Stanford who works in Garstang with her family at the long established firm Capsticks, but now lives in Lancaster with husband Dave, has launched a charity appeal in Ryan's name in the hope of securing a research project into the disease.

The family were only made aware of Ryan's condition in September after he fell ill for the first time at nine months old.

After being taken into hospital suffering a stomach bug, Ryan, who has also has a sister Megan, 10, was transferred to Pendlebury Children's Hospital where he was put into an induced coma for nine days.

Ryan remained in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for a further three months undergoing several tests and MRI scans until his condition was finally diagnosed.

Anne, 28, said Ryan's time in hospital had proven tough for the couple but that it had driven her to work towards something positive.

She said: "It is a horrible thing that we have had to go through and it has been incredibly hard knowing there's nothing we can do about it.

When we first told people about Alper's disease no-one understood exactly what it was. But friends and family have really been supportive of the campaign and if our fundraising goes on to help other families, I feel like we will have done something positive."

The genetic condition which primarily effects the brain and liver has left Ryan with severe epilepsy leading to uncontrollable seizures and with such little mobility he cannot support his own head.

The progressive disease also effects his sight and speech and he also has to be fed directly into his stomach with a feeding tube.

The Ryan Stanford appeal is working towards funding a private research project into finding a treatment into the disease at the Mitochondrial Research Group Institute for Ageing and Health in Newcastle and Anne is working towards achieving her first £5,000 to get the charity campaign rolling.

Her parents Vivian and Gary and sister Helen Capstick are all behind the campaign and the family firm will be starting with a Pampered Chef Evening on December, Friday December 4.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the initial target.

The family also plan to put together a whole list of charity events over the next year and Anne is currently in the process of putting together a website and registering for gift aid.

Two local businessmen Ian Collinson of C & C Supplies and David Coggins of Coggins Office Furniture have already shown their support to the campaign by completing a sponsored 240 mile bike ride from Garstang to Tower Bridge in London.

Helen Capstick said: "Customers and suppliers have been really supportive and so nice, popping in and asking how Ryan is getting on and asking if there's anything they can do."

Anyone who would like to offer their webskills to Anne or would like to make a donation can do so by calling 01995 600840 or anyone shopping online can also help by visiting stores through www.easyfundraising.org.uk.