A New Eltham man is fundraising for his 5-year-old disabled cousin after his dad died following a battle with cancer.

Tommy O'Donnell has a rare brain malformation called Lissencephaly, which means his brain is smooth and does not have the grooves that receive senses.

Tommy, who has four sisters, suffers from up to 15 seizures a day, and has the capability of 'a five-month-old baby'.

Tommy's dad Dennis passed away earlier this year, and his cousin Nicky Clark decided to help the family, who live in Ireland, cope with the costs of losing their 'main breadwinner' and pay to upgrade his care.

Mr Clark, who lives in New Eltham and grew up on the Coldharbour Estate, said: "We managed to raise quite a bit of money in a few weeks, and then a couple of old pals said, let us do a charity football match.

"It's been amazing how the community have really rallied around us."

They have managed to raise £6,200 of their £10,000 goal.

Tommy's mum Michelle told News Shopper: "It was a complete surprise, just that he even thought about it and has gone out of his way to help is incredible.

"This will help us upgrade Tommy's care, his wheelchair and get a lift."

She added: "His brain never developed like ours, it didn’t make the connections, he’s left like a five month old baby.

"It effects all the muscles tone, the worst thing he suffers from is seizures, but he's such a sweet boy."

Alongside the online fundraiser Mr Clark will run the Bear Grylls Survival Race on October 8, and the New Eltham community have rallied together to organise a charity football match.

The Tommy O'Donnell Charity Cup will take place at the Coldharbour Leisure Centre in Chapel Farm Road from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday (October 2).

There will be a raffle and auction after the match at The Farmhouse Pub in Jason Walk, New Eltham.

To donate to the fund visit their Go Fund Me page.

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