FAMILY and friends are rallying round to try and send a brave Brierley Hill family to Disney World in Florida for a much-deserved trip of a lifetime.

Jay Wakelam and her partner Ricky Lander, of Waldron Avenue, Silver End, have coped with everything thrown at them in life following the birth of their two sons Kaydan, aged six, and Kian, aged two.

Jay, a senior care home assistant at Wordsley Hall, and Ricky, a roofer, have endured a torrid time as both of their boys suffer with severe spinal malformations.

Kaydan has already survived major surgery on three occasions, the last of which was in August, while Kian contracted septicaemia and came close to death. He will also require major spinal surgery in the near future.

All four of them have shown remarkable strength of character to pull through the past six years.

Kaydan is currently back in Birmingham Children's Hospital this week having treatment for an infection.

Mum Jay admitted: "It's been continuous, non-stop. It seems like every time we take one step forward, we take another 50 backwards.

"Our families have been absolutely fantastic. Every time we've asked for help, they've been there.

"Ricky tends to work around the Telford/Shropshire area, so I look after the boys during the day. If I need to take one of them to the hospital or clinic, then either my mum or my nan will look after the other.

"I get the boys ready for bed by the time Ricky gets back, then I go to work on the night-shift. It's difficult and does affect us but we still have bills to pay.

"Kian is still waiting for his surgery. It was suggested it would be later this year, but we have to see how Kaydan gets on first.

"The surgeons are reluctant to operate on both together, because they feel it would cause too much stress.

"It would mean everything to the boys if they could go to Disney World. Spiderman is the number one thing with them and it would be just wonderful if they could get to meet him."

Ricky's aunt Ann Jones said: "I don't know how the pair of them manage. They are a remarkable couple and have taken so much in their stride as the boys have been so poorly."

Now their family and friends are determined to raise enough money to send all four of them to Disney World.

To date more than £1,000 has been raised on an online JustGiving page and more fundraisers are in the pipeline.

An event will be held at Lye Town Football Club on Saturday October 4 when swing era entertainer Ray Lowe will travel up from London to put on his one-man tribute to the Rat Pack.

There will also be raffles and an auction taking place on the evening.

In addition, Ricky's 64-year-old uncle Alan Jones will be having a charity chest wax at The Rose and Crown, Colley Lane, on November 22.

Anyone wishing to donate to help send the family to Disney World can go to https://www.justgiving.com/yimby/kkrj#/