A Financial Planner has stepped in to help a family whose young boy suffers from a debilitating illness which causes frequent seizures.

Nicola Watts CFPTM Chartered MCSI, director of Jane Smith Financial Planning, has got involved with Toby’s Trust.

It was set up by a family near where her firm is based in Olney in Buckinghamshire.

Toby has Dravet Syndrome, a severe, life limiting form of epilepsy that also impacts his development, muscle tone, appetite and ability to talk.

He has hundreds of partial seizures throughout the day and suffers from some that are life threatening a few times a week when he often stops breathing and always requires oxygen.

He no longer eats so is fed through a tube in his stomach and he doesn’t talk or walk.

Financial Planner @IFAinOlney has helped this young boy who has a debilitating illness https://t.co/P8c0of7YGZ via @FPTodayNews pic.twitter.com/X8X3psyy9H

— FP Today Magazine (@FPTodayMagazine) November 1, 2016

Ms Watts held a coffee morning recently attended by 30-40 visitors, which raised just over £450, including from donations and a raffle with prizes from lots of local businesses.

She said: “We originally supported an event in the town which raised money for the family and for Great Ormond Street in memory of another child who had sadly died.

“It really brought home to us how any normal family could be affected by the birth of a disabled or very poorly child, and thought about the impact and strain it could have on them both financially and emotionally.

“Although they have excellent support from healthcare professionals, it’s the extras that make their lives easier that they need to fund themselves and this is where we and other supporters are able to help.”

She said: “It’s important to us that we’re not just a business, but that we’re seen to be part of this small community, be that something like supporting Toby’s Trust or sponsoring local events or sports clubs. It’s these contributions (not just from us, but from lots of others), be that money or practical support, that make this such a great place to live and work.”

For more on the charity see www.tobystrust.org.