The mum of a brave nine-year-old boy born with club feet has launched an appeal to buy him a wheelchair that would “transform his life”.

Lissa Harris, of Greenhill Road, Herne Bay, hopes to raise £5,500 by the end of the year to buy her son, Ruben, a sports wheelchair.

Ruben was born with bilateral congenital talipes – more commonly known as club feet – and has had numerous operations to try to fix the problem.

Mrs Harris said: “Ruben had several operations when he was a baby, but they all failed.

“He has to use splints to support his legs and he cannot really get around without crutches now.

“The wheelchair would mean he would be independent – it would transform his life and make it so much easier for him.”

Ruben had an operation to correct the alignment of one of his feet earlier this year, but it did not go to plan and left him with nerve damage.

The Herne Junior School pupil, who has three brothers, had to spend three months in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He currently uses an NHS-supplied chair, but struggles to move easily using it.

Mrs Harris, 39, added: “His current wheelchair is so heavy and clumpy it is difficult for him to use. The new one would be lightweight so he would be independent and would be able to wheel himself.

“They are not cheap, but he is at an age where he wants to be independent.”

Mrs Harris, who has raised about £450 so far, hopes to raise the cash by the end of the year.

She thinks she will then be able to order the chair – which would have a battery-powered front wheel – in time for next spring.

Mrs Harris added: “It would be lovely to be able to see him take part in things.

“He manages and gets by, but the NHS chair is not ideal.

“We would get one with a battery-powered front wheel so when the other kids are on their scooters he could keep up with them.

“He is a boy who wants to have a normal childhood.”

• To donate, visit Ruben's justgiving page