A fundraiser in honour of a Saltcoats teen with a rare genetic condition has raised over £1,000.

Family and friends of 16-year-old Connor Connelly organised the fun night at Girdle Toll Bowling Club on Friday, May 25.

As the Herald reported recently, Connor has MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, which causes physical and mental impairments. The former James McFarlane pupil was diagnosed at the age of eight after he started experiencing seizures.

Following Connor’s diagnosis, mum Rhona set up, MECP2 Duplication UK, a charity supporting families affected by the condition.

Last Friday’s event, in support of the charity, was organised by Rhona and family friends, Jillian and Caroline Cameron. They were also assisted on the night by Connor’s sister Mhairi, 14, and some of her friends from Ardrossan Academy.

Rhona said: “It was absolutely fantastic, everybody danced the night away.

“The girls from Ardrossan Academy were wonderful, they really made it. They were going around selling raffle tickets, doing the guess the name of the doll, things that brought the money in. They did lots.

“It went really well. We raised £1,062.40.

“That money will go really far in supporting families. It could maybe be used for a wee break away somewhere for families, or perhaps for sensory toys or intense physio.

“There are a lot of needs the families have got which it can help.

“For a lot of the families, money is tight because of the illnesses of the children and, with spending time in hospital, they often have to give up their jobs.

“What we do goes a long way.”

For more information about MECP2 Duplication UK, visit https://mecp2duplicationuk.org.uk/.