More than £1,200 has been pledged to help a family whose little boy is battling a life-threatening condition.

Phillip and Rebecca Maguire, of Baldwin Road, Greatstone, took three-year-old Evan to the William Harvey Hospital earlier this month to treat what they thought was a viral infection.

But after their son’s body did not respond to antibiotics, doctors revealed that the toddler had more serious complications.

Evan was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) which can prevent the body from fighting infections and diseases.

Mrs Maguire, 30, said that her son has gone through rounds of chemotherapy at St George’s Hospital in London and that he has been put on steroids to control his symptoms.

Once they had been transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, also in London, consultants diagnosed him with a xiap deficiency which is believed to be genetic. Research on the condition is limited because of its rarity.

Evan will need a bone marrow transplant, which doctors have said is risky but if successful could help his recovery.

The mother-of-three said: “My husband has become a full-time dad and still goes to work but has to be there for our girls.

“I have had to give up work to become Evan’s full -time carer and we have been staying in hospital and we don’t know how long for.

“It will be months when he has the bone marrow transplant done. We are coping with it but it is quite upsetting.”

Daughters Nadean, nine and Brooke, seven, have been tested to see if they are suitable for a bone marrow transplant in a bid to help their brother.

Mrs Maguire said: “The thing that has got us through is watching Evan carry on. He is fighting it and it had made us positive and our girls have been superb.”

The Cinque Port Arms pub in New Romney High Street, Mrs Maguire’s former employer, has a fundraising bucket in the bar for people to pledge funds.

Mr Maguire, 38, works for New Romney Town Council, which he said had also been supportive throughout the family’s ordeal.

A Just Giving page has been set up to help the family with travel costs to and from London.

To donate, click here.