BIG sister Nikki Wardle is so determined to give her seriously disabled brother a holiday she organised a special fundraiser for him.

Gareth Coxhead, 30, is blind and unable to talk. He has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and also suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.

He lives in residential care with other young men of his age and is looked after by professional carers. But it means that virtually all his benefits have to go towards the cost of that care.

“All he has left out of his money is about £22 a week for personal use,” said Nikki, of Patney Walk, Swindon.

As a result he is unable to take a break or enjoy much of a social life and he hasn’t had a holiday for almost three years.

“It is the little luxuries, the days out. They aren’t cheap. We’re trying to get enough money together for a holiday for him,” she said. “But because he needs two carers with him at all times it is not like booking a normal holiday.”

Gareth has suffered several incidents where food got into his airway and as a result he had to have a feeding tube put into his stomach.

However just after Christmas he had to be taken to hospital after he inhaled his vomit and medics decided his case was so serious he was at risk of having a cardiac arrest if he they didn’t insert a breathing tube.

It was a tough time. “We believe after the year he has had he deserves these little luxuries,” said Nikki.

She organised her first event last year, along with a sponsored walk, and managed to raise £625.

On Saturday she gathered crafters, face painters, cake makers and manicurists at Moredon Community Centre for a special fun day, with Gareth as guest of honour and managed to raise in the region of £360.

Members of the Beni Bear Club, which helps the families of children with special needs, were also on hand, along with Spiderman and Elsa.

“Gareth had a great time,” said Nikki. “He was here until 2pm and had to go home because he was so tired.”