Filip Kania has not had the typical childhood for a 13-year-old boy.
The Benfield High School pupil has undergone heart surgery five times after being diagnosed with a serious condition at just three months old.
The football fanatic, who lives in Walker with mum Anna and brothers Patrick, 16, and Max, nine, has spent a considerable amount of time in and out of hospital throughout his childhood and spent more than six weeks at the Freeman Hospital following open heart surgery in November.
And now he has been left devastated after being told he will no longer he able to play football due to the strain on his heart.
Family friend Zahra Chouhdry said: "He took the news very hard. He is absolutely devastated because he loves playing football.
"He's got to be careful when playing with his friends or brothers in case he gets knocked. It's been really hard for him.
"He's having to do things that boys aged 13 shouldn't have to be thinking about.
"His mum is scared to let him go out and play with his friends in case he passes out.
"He's struggling with school because he's missed a lot of work
"He could collapse at any time. If he does it will be a 999 call."
Filip had an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), a hole between the atria and between the ventricles, which required two procedures to repair in 2007.
But his heart continued to beat slower than normal, leading him to have three procedures called cardioversions - a treatment which is done by sending electric signals to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest.
Filip underwent open heart surgery in November to have a pacemaker fitted in an attempt to get his heart beating normally again.
However, his latest surgery has not had the impact doctors had envisaged with the teenager's heart now said to be beating too quickly.
He will have to go through cardioversion again in four weeks' time, but the family is concerned at what the next step is if, again, it fails to fix the long-standing issue.
Mum Anna has been forced to take a considerable amount of time off work as a member of the kitchen team at Fun Shack to look after her son, which has had an impact on her income.
Filip has never been to watch a live football match and dreams of going to the Etihad Stadium to watch Manchester City in action.
With everything Filip has been through, Zahra set up a Gofundme page in a bid to make his wish come true while also ease the financial strain on the family.
The page has already raised £700 while a fundraising event is taking place at Filip's former side Benfield Football Club on Saturday at 6.30pm featuring a disco, entertainment, raffle, quizzes, food and a bar with the proceeds going to the family.
In addition, Zahra contacted the club and they sent out a signed letter from his favourite player Ederson and stadium tour tickets.
She said: "Filip's never seen a live football match in his life. He's always wanted to go and see Manchester City but the family just can't afford it.
"He cried when he opened the letter. He couldn't believe it. You could just see in his face how happy he was.
"That is why I decided to help out the family. They haven't got other family around to help out.
"They're such humble people and would never ask for help themselves. But this will mean the world to Filip and the family. He deserves it for everything he has been through and continues to be brave."
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/brave-young-man
