LEGS bandaged, unable to wear normal shoes or even bite an apple - that is what life is like for a brave schoolboy.

But although Elliot Moll O'Reilly, 11, suffers from a skin blistering condition so rare his mother was told there was more chance of winning the lottery than him being born with it - he is still preparing to go to secondary school next term like a normal teenager.

Elliot, who lives at Barmby Moor, near Pocklington, was born with Non Herlitz Junctional EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) - a painful condition that causes his skin to break out in blisters.

Elliot has a non-lethal strain of the disease - made famous by the TV documentary The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off - but it still has a profound effect on his life and causes him constant pain.

"People used to look at him and think: what's going on with that child.

"He used to get a lot of stares," said Elliot's mum, Emma.

"The first issue is awareness - for families with children affected by this and people with EB so they can go out and people will recognise it and say: that child has got EB. We don't need to stare."

EB is an incurable genetic condition that causes a breakdown in the proteins that hold skin together.

It causes painful blisters which have to be lanced and dressed, a process that can take up to three hours.

Elliot has particular problems on his ears, face and legs. He has no fingernails or toenails and cannot bite an apple because his teeth are so small.

Now DebRA, the charity which provides support and funds research into the condition, is urging people to support its work by taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

The 24-mile walk will take place on September 9, and will raise money for DebRA and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

To take part, phone 01344 771961 or email events.team@debra.org.uk.