A BLACK tie fundraising ball will help make life easier for an “amazing” boy from Petersfield who is succumbing to a life limiting condition.

When Joe Rush of Borough Road was five years old, he was diagnosed with the terminal illness, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Those with it suffer incurable muscle wasting until their body stops working.

It can be hereditary, but for Joe, now 14, and his family, the diagnosis was a terrible, unexpected shock.

Joe’s mother Annette (40) said: “Most children with Duchenne can’t walk by their early teens, then the rest of their body starts to fail.

“Then they get heart and lung problems, and their body becomes too weak to fight anymore.

“There is no treatments or cure, so we watch as Joe deteriorates by the day, knowing there is nothing we can do.”

Since last September family friend and Hayling Island estate agent Janet Dickson has made it her mission to raise as much as possible for “this most amazing boy.”

She said: “It is utterly heart breaking, he is the funniest, most alert young man I have ever meet, and he knows exactly what’s happening, he is very brave.

“I have been running marathons and half marathons to raise money to help get things he needs.

“So far £4,500 has been raised toward my objective of £10,000, and I’m determined not to stop until I have smashed that target.

“As it gets worse, and his lung muscles waste away, Joe will need things like a cough assist box, as he won’t be able to cough.

“Another a priority is a new mobility car.”

Annette and Joe’s father Stewart will be going to the ball with Joe’s younger brother and sister, Elliot and Emily.

Annette said: “Sadly Joe won’t be able to go as the evening would be too much for him, but he knows all about the ball.

“As Joe’s wheelchair has outgrown the mobility car we have now, our objective is raising the £25,000 deposit needed for a new one.”

The ‘Hope for Joe’ ball is on Friday, November 4, 7pm at Langstone Hotel, Hayling Island. Tickets are £45, and to book contact Janet Dickson on 07595325717, or email [email protected]

Those who can’t go to the ball, can still help Joe by donating via the webpage ‘Fundraising for life changing equipment for Joe’ on the website FundRaza.com