Schoolboy, 6, with rare condition risks breaking his ribs every time he sneezes

A schoolboy who risks breaking his ribs every time he sneezes is pleading for help to find funds for a new wheelchair.

Lincoln Gash suffers from a rare crippling disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, known as OI, which means his bones are so fragile they can easily be broken by day-to-day activities.

So far, the six-year-old has already fractured his skull, arm and part of his spine, just by falling over or crawling on the floor.

On Friday, Lincoln's mother Amanda revealed that the wheelchair he uses everywhere except in his home in Southcote, Reading, Berks., is becoming too small for him.

The family is battling to raise the £3,000 needed for the new specialist lightweight wheelchair.

Lincoln's family are trying to raise £3,000 to buy him a new specialist wheelchair (HNP Newsdesk/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Both Lincoln and his mum Amanda suffer from the same condition, known as osteogenesis imperfecta, and they have both broken bones from sneezing in the past (HNP Newsdesk/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Amanda, who suffers from the same condition, said: "As a mum, it's been hard and it's been harder than I thought to be honest, seeing him go through the pain actually knowing what that pain is.

"I have broken bones from sneezing before and he's broken ribs from that as well."

The genetic disease means that the collagen in a person's bones is missing, reduced or is of low quality, making them brittle.

OI patients normally require frequent major operations to insert metal rods in their bones to support their bones.

Lincoln has been fitted with a device known as a "port-a-cath", which sits under the skin of his chest and helps his treatment.

However, the schoolboy likes to pretend he is Iron Man, fitted with his own Arc Reactor.

Amanda says Lincoln is "Avengers mad" and loves Iron Man in particular because he's "strong" (HNP Newsdesk/Hyde News & Pictures Ltd)

Despite the fictional device not powering his iron suit, Amanda said: "That is the way we have got him through things - he's Iron Man, he is strong, he tries his hardest, and he's absolutely Avenger mad."

However, the Iron Man lover, whose puppy Daisy and the game Minecraft helps him to live with his condition, needs a new specialist lightweight wheelchair to get around, as he has grown out of his previous one.

His family, which has already raised £750, is holding a fun day near their home in Reading on September 18 to raise funds for the equipment.

The day will include a fete, tug-of-war and a raffle.

Amanda, who as a teenager would suffer fractures up to six times a week, said: "People's generosity has humbled me and I am really grateful for everybody's support.

"We would love to see as many people there as possible."