YOUNG Ted Grove used to love to watch his dad playing rugby for Supermarine.

Now the players are teaming up to help him in his own battle with an extremely rare and devastating brain condition that means he is unable to walk or talk.

In fact the only movement he can control is the smile that lights up his face.

The seven-year-old from Peatmoor was diagnosed with Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency (AADC) when he was just 18-months-old.

He is one of only 100 people in the world known to have it.

Dad Sven said: “We were very lucky to get to Great Ormond Street at a fairly early stage. A lot of children do not even reach 18 months.”

He said it was Ted’s mum Zoe, the assistant head at Goddard Park Primary School, who spotted his problem.

“My wife knew something wasn’t right. He wasn’t reaching his milestones,” said Sven.

Ted was referred to the internationally-renowned children’s hospital where he was put under the care of consultant Maju Kurian. She is working on pioneering gene therapy that could help him and other patients in the future.

The condition stops his brain producing dopamine and seratonin, neurotransmitters that allow it to control movement, blood flow and many other basic functions.

Although his parents both carry the mutated gene their other children, Miles 11 and Amelia, 22 months, are not affected.

The AADC Research Trust is aiming to carry out clinical trials that will involve injecting a working copy of the mutated gene into the brain. It will use technology that was designed to treat Parkinson’s Disease.

“It is brain surgery, which carries it’s own risks. As a parent you’ve got to decide whether it is worth those risks,” said his dad, who works as a technician for Dick Lovett Porsche.

In the meantime the couple are hoping to raise enough money to adapt their home with a through-floor lift and a specialist bath. Each costs around £10,000 and grant funding is limited. They are also looking at buying him a touchscreen computer to help him communicate because he is able to use an iPad and loves technology so much he is nicknamed Gadget Boy.

Ted’s condition means he needs 24-hour care, but said Sven: “He’s very clever and he has got a beautiful smile. It’s really infectious.”

And it is his smile that has inspired the fundraising campaign.

Rugby skipper George Cowley approached the family with the idea of hiking Snowdonia as a pre-season exercise for Supermarine and St George Rugby League players to promote team bonding and raise money at the same time.

“He wanted to do something for Ted. It is a great club. They have really taken us on board,” said ex-flanker Sven.

Visit gofundme.com/TedsSmile to learn more about the campaign.