A teenage boy suffering from long Covid has missed school for two years and is now showing "dementia-like" symptoms.

Hayden Stokes, of Elvington near Dover, is so physically weak and overtired he has to be in bed for 18 hours a day and otherwise needs a wheelchair.

The 15-year-old's mother, Katherine Flanagan, is now trying desperately to raise money for treatment for him.

She said: "He should be able to thoroughly enjoy his excellent school, meet with friends, and make happy memories. Instead, his life revolves around his bed and being isolated in his bedroom."

Hayden, his mum and sister Sophie, now 12, all caught Covid in December 2020 during the second wave of the pandemic.

In the first weeks he experienced increased episodes of dizziness and then was no longer able to speak a full sentence.

Ms Flanagan, 53, said: "His neurological symptoms multiplied and reminded me of my late father when he had dementia."

Hayden, a pupil at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury, was eventually diagnosed with long Covid with 45 symptoms.

Now he has severe fatigue and minimal physical energy. When that is used up he can't even hold his head up or get out of bed.

While he enjoyed reading and learning now his memory, concentration and cognitive skills are severely affected.

Ms Flanagan explains that even listening to a new audiobook causes him headaches and extra fatigue, so he can only listen to stories he has previously read.

Hopes of getting successful treatment from the NHS have faded so now Ms Flanagan is fundraising to give Hayden the chance to go to the Portland Hospital in London for private help.

"He wants to leave no stone unturned until he gets his health and his life returned to him..."

The money will go for neurologists, cardiologist and immunologist appointments and treatments and also on any other of the right treatment that might be available abroad.

Money donated so far has paid for items such as an electric wheelchair and a board to help Hayden move from his wheelchair to another chair or his bed when he doesn't have the energy.

Ms Flanagan said: "Potential new treatments are being found all over the world, and as far as Hayden is concerned, he wants to leave no stone unturned until he gets his health and his life returned to him.

"Please help me get investigations, treatment and equipment for my darling Hayden and get him his life back."

The crowdfunding page has so far raised £6,162 out of a £20,000 target.