Snowy scenes on the cards in Southwold as money is raised for Alexis

Scenes of the seaside covered in snow are the subject of a charity Christmas card collection raising money to help a boy with a muscle-wasting disorder and his family.

Southwold Gallery is selling the cards which are based on artwork by local artist Karen Keable and include images of beach huts dusted with snow and the Christmas day swim.

The Alexis Ruthven Trust aims to raise £50,000 to fund building alterations to help seven-year-old Alexis, from Reydon, in his basic living needs, as well as further equipment he will need as his condition progresses. So far over £33,000 has been raised.

Alexis was diagnosed with Duchenne at six-months-old. He currently takes steroids to slow the decline of his muscle function and uses a wheelchair when out.

It is a progressive, muscle-wasting disorder which affects one in every 3,500 boys. Boys with Duchenne produce little or no dystrophin, a protein essential for the repair and stability of muscle fibres. The life expectancy of sufferers of Duchenne is 29, though many die in their teens and there is no cure.

Kevin Keable, from Southwold Gallery, said: 'We were contacted about raising money for the trust back in the autumn. My wife Karen though it would be good to help out a local cause.

'The sales are going well so far and we hope people will carry on buying the cards.'

The gallery on High Street is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm.

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