EIGHT-year-old Tommy Gundry, who has been paralysed from birth, is to stage his own sponsored swim this month, to help raise funds for a special sports wheelchair which will enable him to compete in an array of sports.

Plucky Tommy, of Liskeard, is to take part in the swimming events in the national Rotary Games in Coventry next month – but in the future he hopes the purchase of a new wheelchair will let him compete in other sports such as basketball.

Tommy has the backing of all his friends, and the staff, at Liskeard's St Martin's primary school. A collection for his wheelchair fund was held at this week's school's harvest festival, which meant that St Martin's has raised £260 for him to date. support has also come from local line dancers and the Ladies Circle.

Tommy read out an address himself at the harvest festival, in St Martin's church, at which he said: 'A sports wheelchair would be special to me because it would enable me to take part in sports such as basketball racing, table tennis and snooker.

'I would be able to move around more freely and go a lot faster. It would also help me at school during PE and games.'

A lane has been set aside for him at Lux Park leisure centre for his sponsored swim on Friday October 13, starting at around 4.45pm.

He needs to raise a total of £1,600 to be able to buy his dream wheelchair.

His ancillary at St Martin's is Sam Bowden. She explained that Tommy is a paraplegic and has been from birth due to a Neuroplastma on his spine. However, he is a very active member of the community taking part in the carnival, floral dance and Beavers, and being fully integrated into school life. He is also a great lover of football, and has turned out as a goalkeeper.

A trust has been set up for Tommy's fund at Barclays Bank, and it currently stands at £600.