A MOTHER has organised a special party to mark what would have been the 18th birthday of her son.

Keir Platt, from Astley Bridge, lost his fight against a rare genetic disorder in 2014, just two before his 14th birthday.

Now, to mark the landmark date, his family are inviting everyone to a special fun day to raise money for charities in memory of the youngster, whose smile continues to ‘inspire’ them.

Kier was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) in 2005 — a condition which affects the nervous system and cannot be cured.

It meant that he lost the ability to walk and talk at an early age.

His parents, Michelle Tonge and Martin Platt, were told Keir would not reach double figures in age, but, against all odds, he made it to his teenage years.

Yesterday, the brave youngster would have turned 18, and the family marked the occasion together.

And on Saturday they are inviting the community to the family fun day at Dunscar Golf Club in support of two different charities which provided invaluable support to the couple and other families like them.

Miss Tonge said: “He’s the most amazing person who has been in my life and will ever be in my life. Every time I look at him smiling on the photographs we have of him, you always think things cannot be that bad.”

On Saturday people of all ages can enjoy fun and games as well as have a chance of winning some top prizes, including tickets to Paul Weller, champagne, hampers and much more.

She added: “An 18th birthday is an important birthday and we could not let it go. We are raising funds for two different charities with proceeds being divided between the two.

“It is a family fun day and open to everyone. We do have some really good prizes in the raffle and tombola.”

Kier’s sister Erin, aged 20, has also helped organise the day and helped collect the prizes from generous donors.

The family fun day opens at 1pm and goes until 5pm.

The money will go to the Sycamore Project, organised by Zac’s Bar, which took Kier on some amazing trips, said his mum, as well as Together For Short Lives.