A COMMUNITY has come together to help send a little boy and his family on the holiday of a lifetime.

Hundreds turned out to two events at the Windmill pub, in Freshbrook, this weekend to raise money for eight-year-old Harley Stockwell.

Harley was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was three years old. The rare disease, which affects around 100 boys in the UK every year, causes his muscle to waste away, which could see him in a wheelchair by the age of just 10.

In a bid to give Harley and his family something to smile about, Nigel Turrell, landlord of the pub, organised a weekend of activities to raise money for a family holiday.

On Saturday, 87 people turned an all day poker tournament, with £10 from every entry going to the fund. Yesterday, it was the children’s chance to enjoy themselves as the pub put on a family fun day, which included a bouncy castle, face painting and a FIFA Xbox challenge.

Nigel said: “It has been a brilliant weekend. We have raised £2,500 so far and we are on target to get the £3,000 we were looking for.

“The poker went really well and was well organised by the boys, and everyone who took part understood what it was all for.

“That was the big kids’ day and then yesterday we had the fun day and we had lots of children in getting their faces painted and playing on the computer games.

“Harley has been running around the place enjoying himself which is the main thing.

“We would love to send Harley and his mum and dad on holiday, and make sure that everything is covered.

“On Saturday night when we finished Harley’s mum was in tears, that is how much it means to the family.

“We are a community pub and there would be something wrong if we couldn’t help a family in our community.”

Harley’s mum, Leanne Windslow, and dad Marlon Stockwell, of Redhouse, have vowed to make every day count since the diagnosis.

Leanne, 30, said: “It was devastating to hear the news because Harley is my only child and it was really hard.

“The weekend was brilliant, Harley had his face painted and enjoyed himself.

“It is very touching that people have thought about us and wanted to help Harley in this way.

“To have a holiday means so much to us, it will be nice to be able to get the family out while Harley can still enjoy it.”

To find out more about how to make a donation to the cause contact the pub on 01793 873227.