The father of a nine-year-old boy born with club feet says all their Christmases have come at once after raising enough cash to get the wheelchair he desperately needs.

Ruben Harris, who goes to Herne Junior School, was born with bilateral congenital talipes and has had numerous operations. The Gazette launched a campaign to help buy him a new sports wheelchair earlier this year and his family has now raised the £5,500 total needed.

They organised a raffle to help collect the remaining cash and now expect to receive the chair soon after placing an order. Ruben’s dad, Jamie, said: “The raffle was amazing and thanks to the success of that we have now got the final amount.

“We are all done now and have even be able to shut down the JustGiving page.

“It has been be a really good Christmas present to get to the target and the chair will help Ruben, without a doubt.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response and support.”

Jamie, of Greenhill Road, held the raffle at the Co-op in Mortimer Street, with a BMX bike and bottle of wine among the prizes.

Speedway rider Georgie Wood, from Maidstone – who competes for the Eastbourne Eagles team – conducted the raffle.