THE family of a Bolton teenager who suffers from a crippling skin condition are raising money for a summer house and hot tub to aid with his treatment.

Rhys Williams, 15, suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a painful condition that leaves him covered in blisters, with the skin on his hands and legs fused together.

Bandages have to be applied daily to Rhys, with even the slightest knocks causing blistering and leaving him in pain.

Rhys finds hot water and hyrdotherapy can ease his pain, but he can't use public or NHS facilities as the water has to be drained after he uses it.

In a bid to help ease his pain, a fundraiser to help buy Rhys a new summer house and hot tub has been launched.

A summerhouse can house the hot tub while also protecting him from the elements.

His mum, Tanya, said that their home in Johnson Fold often gets a lot of sunshine - and a summer house means Rhys will be able to sit outside in the shade during hot weather.

She said: "His body has sort of fused in place so it is like he is stuck in the wheelchair position, whether he's lying down or sitting up.

"The summer house means he can get his own little area for him to sit in while giving him some privacy."

The fundraiser was set up by family friend Keely Walker on GoFundMe, with an ambitious target of £10,000.

The costs include the summer house, hot tub, the necessary fittings and installation.

Keely said: "He would benefit so much from it - Covid has hit everyone hard and Rhys hasn't been able to see his friends because of everything.

"He can't use an NHS pool because it has to be drained afterwards, but this would allow him his own privacy.

"If he has his own hot tub, he can sit in it on his own with the constant temperature and have some dignity."

Tanya added: "It would be outstanding if he could get it. Seeing Rhys in bed is so hard, but when he has a really hot bath, it can be a bit of a relief for him.

"I think the hydrotherapy could be a massive help and I am confident that it could get him out of that position, get his hips moving and, you never know, it could get him up and walking in the next few months.

"The summer house really would mean so much to Rhys."

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.