A BRAVE young boy from Witham has been diagnosed with a rare and life a changing genetic disease.

Leo Olivacce, who is eight years old, was diagnosed with Batten Disease on May 10 after a two year long battle to discover why he was losing his sight.

After being passed from specialist to specialist, who struggled to find out what was wrong, Leo has now been diagnosed with a disease which it is estimated only 50 children in the UK have.

His mother, Lara Olivacce said: "The disease effects the cells in the brain.

"Each of us have cells but our cells are can clear the waste, Leo's cells can't so his brain cells are dying.

"The first thing to go is the eye sight, he could start to have seizures then it is the mobility that starts to go.

"His short term memory will go as well. He will know that we are his family and we love him, but we are told that the eventuality he will bed ridden and then die.

"Leo knows he is losing his eyesight and that he has Batten Disease, but he does not know what it is - we do not want him to live in fear."

Despite the shock of the severity of the condition, Mrs Olivacce has taken it upon herself to raise money and awareness about the condition.

She is hoping to run a funday in Witham this summer, with all proceeds going to BDFA, the UK's charity for Batten Disease research.

Mrs Olivacce said: "I have been in a dark place for the past few days and now it is time to fight or flight; I need to fight, I need to give my life to this.

"This has become a new purpose for me, to raise money and try to fight the disease is something I am now dedicated to."

Mrs Olivacce is looking for any volunteers to help with amusements and refreshments at the fun day, or any donations for a raffle.

You can contact her on: 07437308102 or by email: lara_o1987@hotmail.com.