George Tollman looks like any normal eight-year-old.

But on holiday in France five years ago, his family noticed a lump near his wrist as they topped him up with sunscreen. Then they spotted a bump on his leg.

After a series of tests, an orthopaedic paediatrician at Maidstone Hospital diagnosed a spontaneous form of a condition called Hereditary Multiple Exostoses a condition which produces extra bony lumps.

Now his family, from Hockers Lane, Detling, are fighting to fund medical research which would explain why his body grows extra bone.

George has had three operations to remove lumps from his legs, arms and shoulders.

The youngster, a pupil at Roseacre Junior School, Bearsted, said: “I don’t like the operations, but I do like getting nice get well cards afterwards. My favourite thing at school is PE, but if my bumps hurt then I will sit out.”

Money from the weekend’s Bearsted and Thurnham village fair will go to the Hereditary Multiple Exostoses Support Group, for research into understanding the condition.

“There is no government or charity money because the condition is so rare,” said his mother, Wendy.

Money from the carnival and fete will also go to help the family of Max Cakebread, of Crosskeys, Bearsted, who is autistic and attends the Son-Rise therapy programme.

For the full story see this week's Kent Messenger