A mother has launched a desperate appeal to raise £100,000 and help her “brilliant” teenager walk again.

Luke Ball, of Capel Crescent, Stanmore, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of eight that has left him with severe disabilities.

Although he is in remission, the effects of the tumour left the 19-year-old without the use of his legs. He is also epileptic, suffers short-term memory loss and has behavioural problems.

His mother, Deborah Neighbour, 43, needs to raise the money to buy an ‘exoskeleton suit’ or a similar device, which would allow him to walk unaided for the first time in ten years.

Mother-of-three Ms Neighbour said: “Seeing him walk would just be the best thing ever and make me so proud. He currently uses a wheelchair or shuffles on the floor on his bum.

“He wants to be up and moving like everyone else. He lost all his friends after the tumour, and he sees them going out clubbing and he can’t do any of that.

“This would dramatically change his life, but it will cost roughly £100,000.”

Harrow Times:

Luke began getting terrible headaches and being violently sick at the age of eight, but doctors did not reach a diagnosis until he was nine and began acting “drunk” at a family party.

He had an operation to drain fluid on his brain but while in hospital caught MRSA and E-Coli and spent months in intensive care.

After more than 30 operations the tumour was removed but Luke was unable to talk for six months and so spent time at a rehab centre in Surrey.

Ms Neighbour was also forced to give up her job as a teaching assistant to care for her son.

She added: “It was devastating, seeing your son go from a happy, healthy, football loving boy to not being able to speak to you. He went into the hospital walking but hasn’t walked since.

“He’s on a lot of medication and so if something stresses him out his behaviour and change at the drop of a hat. He doesn’t sleep. When it doesn’t work he’s a devil, but when it does he’s an angel.

“But in all this, he has been so brave even though it can be challenging. This is why allowing him to walk for the first time in ages would make so much difference.”

Before his diagnosis, Luke was a star football player for Wealdstone FC, attended a stage school and was the most popular boy amongst his friends.

He also enjoys spending time with his sister, Jazmine, four He said: “When I’m walking again I want to play football. Football is my life. I support Chelsea FC but I also like music and going to the cinema.

“Walking again would be wicked, it would be coolio – which is what they say in Spanish.”

They have so far raised £500. Can you help? E-mail aslater@london.newsquest.co.uk or donate www.gofundme.com/lpluo0