VIDEO: Boy with mystery illness sparks donations

A boy with a rare undiagnosed condition has received hundreds of pounds of donations to help him get specialist equipment.
Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia WiltonFreddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton
Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton

Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, was born with skeletal dysplasia, which means that his bones are underdeveloped. He also can’t swallow food, has a small hole in his heart and poor eyesight and hearing.

Because of this, Freddie cannot support his own body weight, walk, talk or eat, and has to be fed milk via a tube and a button into his stomach.

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So far doctors have been unable to find the root of his illnesses, and have told his mother Sophia Wilton that he could be the only child in the world with his condition.

Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia WiltonFreddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton
Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton

Sophia, 29, said: “People say having a diagnosis doesn’t change anything but for me it would as I don’t know what kind of future Freddie has.”

After trying for six years to have a baby, Sophia finally fell pregnant with Freddie – but was told at 16 weeks that he had skeletal dysplasia. She said: “At one point the doctors advised me to terminate the pregnancy. They didn’t think Freddie would be able to survive outside the womb.

“I felt devastated – I waited so long to fall pregnant and to finally have a little baby growing inside me and be told that was so hard.”

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Sophia decided to wait two weeks to see if his chest bones would develop more, which they did, and after a difficult pregnancy Freddie was delivered one month prematurely by caesarean section at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

People have now raised more than £1,800 for Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington so he can get specialist equipmentPeople have now raised more than £1,800 for Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington so he can get specialist equipment
People have now raised more than £1,800 for Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington so he can get specialist equipment

Due to his body shape, Freddie needs tailor-made equipment which Sophia has been unable to get solely through NHS funding.

So his aunt Josie Wilton started fundraising for him, including organising a walk from Brighton’s i360 to Worthing Pier. She has raised more than £1,800 so far.

Sophia said: “I felt so overwhelmed. We’re all busy, and these people took time out of their lives to do something for my little boy.

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“I’m extremely grateful to my sister Josie for organising these events to raise money for Freddie. I feel blessed to have such a lovely sister and caring auntie.”

Josie Wilton organised a charity walk from Brighton's i360 to Worthing Pier to raise money for her two-year-old nephew Freddie Oliver, who has a rare undiagnosed conditionJosie Wilton organised a charity walk from Brighton's i360 to Worthing Pier to raise money for her two-year-old nephew Freddie Oliver, who has a rare undiagnosed condition
Josie Wilton organised a charity walk from Brighton's i360 to Worthing Pier to raise money for her two-year-old nephew Freddie Oliver, who has a rare undiagnosed condition

Money raised will go towards a specially-designed buggy for Freddie, a trike and a cot.

Josie is also organising a Christmas disco to raise more funds, which will take place on December 17 at Heene Community Centre.

To donate, click here.

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Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia WiltonFreddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton
Freddie Oliver, two, from Durrington, with his auntie Josie Wilton (left) and his mum Sophia Wilton

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