A campaign is being launched to raise thousands of pounds to transform the life of an eight-year-old King's Lynn boy.

Parents Rachael and Jack McLellan, from Deas Road, South Wootton, are trying to raise £7,000 to buy an assistance dog for their son Ben, to help him in daily life.

With the support of friends, family and The Church in the Woottons, a fun day is being held on Saturday, July 14, at South Wootton Village Hall to officially kickstart the McLellans' fundraising drive.

Mrs McLellan, who also has two other sons Peter, 10, and Christopher, 8, said a dog will help provide the constant company that Ben, who has ADHD, desperately wants and needs.

'Not only will it make Ben's life easier, it'll also vastly improve the lives of Jack, Peter, Christopher and myself,' she said. 'Ben doesn't like to be by himself but he also doesn't want to play with other children so if we are able to raise enough funds, a dog will ensure he is never on his own again.

'Ben also doesn't go to sleep easily. Most nights he is up until 11 or 12 o clock – 9pm if we are very lucky and that doesn't happen very often but this dog will help Ben go to sleep and that will give all of us a better quality of life, especially the boys because he won't be screaming late at night or pestering them.'

Mrs McLellan spent many hours researching what a dog could do for Ben and their household after reading a story of a family with similar experiences.

'It was just a story that randomly popped up on my social media timeline, and reading it and watching the video about it and I was moved to tears because it felt like I was watching a video about my life,' she said.

The Family Fun Day raising money for A Dog For Ben campaign at South Wootton Village Hall will start at 12-noon.

There will be craft activities for children along with light refreshments as well as stalls selling a variety of products and a raffle.

The Church in the Woottons is also holding an account for the appeal and clearly marked donations can be made to The Church in the Woottons PCC to further boost the appeal.