THE parents of a six-year-old Ramsbottom schoolboy who sufferers from a rare undiagnosed genetic condition are launching a £1,600 quest to allow their son to ride a bike for the first time in his life.

A special golf tournament at Lowes Park Golf Club in Bury, and a separate fundraising event at the Rose and Crown in Ramsbottom, are to be staged next month in a bid to raise enough cash to buy Alfie Furnival a specially-adapted trike.

His parents, Natalie and Peter, are spearheading the fundraising and have also set up a justgiving page for Alfie, who attends Millwood Primary in School Street.

Natalie, of Lime Grove, Ramsbottom, said: "Alfie has a very rare genetic condition which means he has excessive skin lines on his hands and legs. He has learning difficulties and was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was only eight weeks old. Thankfully, he has medication which controls this.

"When he was 12-months-old, we we were told that Alfie would never walk or talk. But thankfully, he can do both.

"He has never ridden a bike in his life. Alfie can't ride a normal bicycle but has been assessed for a special trike which is expensive as it will cost £1,600. It has a number of adaptations, and has special foot straps so his feet will be stuck to the pedals, a harness, and parent handles for us."

The twin fundraising ventures will be held on Sunday September 20 and will begin with a golf tournament for couples starting from 9am at Lowes Park Golf Club. Entry fee is £10 per person.

At 2pm, the Rose and Crown in Carr Street, Ramsbottom, will host a fundraising bowling match together with barbecue, face painting, tombola and barbecue.

The couple would welcome donations of raffle and tombola prizes and have thanked Peel Lions and Walmersley Carpets for their support.

Anyone wishing to become involved in the fundraising events or to provide a donation can visit: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Alfies-special-trike