Soraya Karimi-Ghovanlou with Gabriel at home in Thorpe Marriott. Photo: Bill Smith

The mother of a little boy with quadraplegic cerebral palsy has spoken of how proud she is of her son and how she hopes to help other families with disabled children.

Three-year-old Gabriel Karimi-Ghovanlou, from Taverham, was born nine weeks premature with the condition which affects both his legs and arms.

His mum, Soraya Karimi-Ghovanlou, said doctors thought Gabriel would be unlikely to eat by himself, smile or talk, but she said her son has continually amazed her with his achievements and is now enjoying going to a mainstream nursery school. Miss Karimi-Ghovanlou held a charity gig last year at The Talk to raise funds for the disability charity Scope and for a special trike for Gabriel which she said has been a great help to her son who recently had an operation on his hips and groin muscles.

Now she is organising another event which will include a performance by Bill Downs from BBC’s The Voice. This time she will be raising money for Gabriel’s Fund, a charity she wants to set up to help other families with disabled children buy special equipment they need, and another charity.

Of her son, Miss Karimi-Ghovanlou, 26, said: “Gabriel is always happy. He just laughs. He never cries, he just gets on with it.

“He talks lots and since he has been at school his speech has been amazing. He is doing really well compared to what doctors first thought.

“I just think he is amazing and I hope one day he will be able to have more independence. He loves the trike which really helps him because the pedalling helps build up his muscles.”

The charity fundraiser will be on June 23 at Roundwood Bowls Club, Taverham, from 4.30pm. There will be a charity auction, disco and barbecue. Tickets will cost £10 including the barbecue. For more information find Gabriel’s Fund on Facebook.

Are you putting on an event for a good cause? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk