FUNDRAISERS have raised hundreds of pounds to help buy a special chair for a brave York boy with severe disabilities.

An appeal was launched last November to help buy a PPod chair for one-year-old Leo Lengyel-Ducey, enabling him to spend time with his family in comfort and safety.

The Press ran an article about the appeal and since then £622 has been donated towards the seat.

Newlife, the Charity for Disabled Children, had already raised £311 towards the £933 chair.

A charity spokesman said: “Newlife received an overwhelming response to its appeal for help and Leo will receive his equipment shortly.”

Leo has epilepsy and cerebral palsy, he is registered blind and is fed through a tube in his stomach due to reflux. When his temperature gets too high he has severe seizures, which happen every few months, and has small seizures daily.

Unable to sit unaided, at the moment Leo’s only form of seating is his baby bouncer, which does not give him the essential postural support he needs to feel comfortable. Other than that he has to be held.

With local statutory services unable to fund the equipment his family turned to Newlife – the largest charity funder of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness in the UK.

Among those who have contributed to the appeal is Billy Wilson, owner of Minster Groundworks in Sheriff Hutton, who donated £553.

He said: “Helping the community is very important to me, and when I saw Leo’s appeal in the newspaper, I knew that I could help. Knowing that soon Leo will be able to sit comfortably is all that matters, I am thrilled that the media appeal was successful. It’s nice to know that other donations were made, as it shows that our community is important and we do care.”

Leo’s mum Chloe Lengyel-Heaton, of Woodlea Avenue, Acomb, said: “We have been totally overwhelmed by the response. People have been incredibly generous. We want to say a huge thank you to Minster Groundworks and everyone else who has helped Leo. We are more grateful than we are able to express.”

Newlife has a dedicated North Yorkshire Fund – http://www.newlifecharity.co.uk/NorthYorkshire - which gives local people the opportunity to help local disabled children.

The charity is currently working with another six families in North Yorkshire with equipment needs totalling £1,121.