A HALWILL Junction woman has praised the generosity of local people who helped her raise £3,500 to send her grandson to Disney World, Florida. Sylvia Langford's seven-year-old grandson Rio suffers from Batten's Disease, which is a rare inherited disorder. The disease affects the nerve cells in the brain, eyes and other parts of the body, causing a progressive loss of vision and physical and mental skills.

Rio was diagnosed with the disease at the age of six. "It's taken several years to actually find out what is wrong with Rio," said Sylvia.

Initially it was thought that Rio may have been autistic, but when his family noticed he was having problems with his sight he was sent to Bristol for tests. Sylvia said: "It wasn't easy. Rio doesn't like anything out of his environment."

Rio was eventually diagnosed with Batten's Disease.  Sylvia said: "I looked it up on the internet and thought that can't be what he's got but unfortunately it is." Rio is only expected to live until his teens.

Sylvia set up the Rio Langford Batten's Disease Appeal in June last year. She urgently wanted to raise enough money to send Rio to Disney World, Florida before he lost his sight completely.

A lunch was held in August followed by a wine and wisdom in November. Thanks to the generosity of local people, £3,500 was raised enabling Rio to go to Florida next month with his parents and five year old sister.

Sylvia thanked all the people who had supported the appeal: "People have been very generous and good to us."

The Make a Wish Foundation is also helping by paying for Rio to go, Sylvia commented: "That was a surprise, we thought we'd try and they came up trumps as well."

She added: "Rio doesn't make a lot of comment about it but hopefully he'll enjoy it."

Although they are now taking a bit of break, fundraising will continue for Rio's appeal. Sylvia explained: "He should stay the same now for about four or five years, although his sight won't be there. Seizures and a lack of co-ordination will happen at a later stage.

"We're going to keep topping up the fund so there is money there for whenever he needs it. We want to make his quality of life as best we can, who knows what he'll need in the future."

If anyone would like to make a donation to the appeal please contact Sylvia on 01409 221097 or send a cheque made out to Rio Langford Batten's Disease Appeal to S Langford, Bendways, Halwill Junction, Beawor­thy, Devon EX21 5UA.