THE campaign to buy a nine-year-old cerebral palsy victim a new sports wheelchair has reached the half-way target, only a month after its launch.

Generous neighbours from Hereford Road, Blackburn, decided to rally round for Alex Hook to help him live a "truly normal life".

And now as Alex waits for his third measuring session for the wheelchair, and fundraisers dream up their latest challenge, the bank balance has reached £900.

His mother Heather said: "We have been overwhelmed with the response to the campaign. Alex warms everyone's heart as soon as they meet him he is such a lovely little boy.

"He hates his NHS chair so with all the activities he wants to do this summer, it motivates everyone to keep on with the fundraising."

The new light-weight modern sports chair will enable Alex to go on more activities with school, his family and his scout group as well as pursue his love of basketball.

The family also hopes to raise enough money for an all-terrain chair specially designed for the outdoors.

Alex was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 18 months and now struggles to walk.

The campaign to help the Blackburn Rovers fan and sports fanatic was launched in April as the family struggled on limited benefits to "provide him with the best".

Neighbours and work colleagues from Pentland Distribution Centre in Blackburn organised a 32-mile sponsored walk in April.

And two cheques worth £300 from strangers were sent through the post.

Heather said: "We are really grateful for everyone's support and their efforts. People have even come up to us in the street".

The family were out collecting money at Ewood Park on Saturday and have several darts and pool matches lined up.

Nearby St Thomas School in Newton Street, which Alex attends, are also rallying round in support.

Jim McCarthy, provincial head of Chorley-based Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes, has also adopted Alex for this year's fundraising and is busy organising a tombola and sponsored slim.