THE grandmother of a boy with a debilitating muscle disease is trying to raise funds to pay for a respite room for him at her home.

Mandy Windslow hopes to build an extension on the ground floor of her house in West Swindon for 12-year-old Harley Stockwell to use.

Harley is wheelchair-bound due to his duchenne muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting condition which is gradually weakening and breaking down his muscles.

He requires round-the-clock care from his parents Leanne Windslow and Marlon Stockwell.

Marlon said: "We have good days and bad days, it's hard work and we don't get time to ourselves.

"This room will make a huge difference, it'll give us a chance to have a breather and it's nice to give a Harley a break from us because we're around him constantly."

Grandparents Mandy and Paul Windslow have already converted their kitchen to make it easily accessible for Harley.

Mandy said: "This is his favourite place in the whole world, he's comfortable here, it will feel like a sleepover at his Nana's.

"We don't want to send him to a care home, he wants people around him that love him."

The £4,000 room would feature areas where he could wash, study, sleep, and play games with access to the garden and kitchen.

Mum Leanne said: "He's just a typical teenage boy that doesn't like being around his parents all the time. He just wants a little bit more independence.

"This is a light at the end of the tunnel, happy times are to come."

Paul said: "Life's quite difficult with Harley, they need a break sometimes and he can come here for a respite, a home from home.

"He wasn't diagnosed with the condition until he was four. His muscles will keep deteriorating until he's 30."

Harley also has a mild form of autism which limits his social ability.

Leanne added: "He's a man of few words but he takes everything in."

He goes to Uplands School and in his spare time, Harley enjoys playing videogames, going to the cinema with his older brothers Darron and Danny, and spending time with his two-year-old sister Grace Stockwell.

So far, £2,300 has been raised to pay for the room and the family were very grateful to all who have kindly donated to help Harley.

Paul said: "It's fantastic and humbling. The plans have been sent in to the council and hopefully work will start on it in July."

Marlon said: "Everyone's come together, it's done remarkably well."

Mandy said: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, whenever we need something, our friends and family are always there and the West Swindon community has been brilliant."

Harley said: "This room would make me very happy."

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mandy-windslow