A LITTLE boy who repeatedly cheated death is hoping a new campaign will help replace precious play equipment which was destroyed in the floods.

His family and support workers are fundraising to bring a permanent smile back to eight-year-old Adam Cakans' face, as he battles serious health problems.

The youngster's specialist play equipment was given to him by the Make a Wish Foundation UK, offering him the chance to play like other boys his age.

However, when Storm Desmond swept through the county in December, Adam's play equipment was submerged in 5ft of sewage water, leaving it contaminated and destined for the scrap yard.

Now those who care for him and his mum Stephanie, want to raise enough money to replace his Last Wish.

Adam, who is almost nine, was given only a 10 per cent chance of survival when he was born but he defied all the odds, cheating death four times as a baby when he stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated by medics.

He suffers from severe scoliosis, curving of the spine which will gradually get worse and is a life-limiting condition. He also has hydrocephalus and pleural effusions - where fluid builds up on the brain and lungs - and hearing and sight impairments as well as learning disabilities.

Despite his conditions, Adam has been determined to learn to walk with his aid and is beginning to talk and use sign language. He loves water play, sensory play and being as independent as possible.

Lindsey Atkinson, of Carlisle Mencap, who supports Adam along with Carole Evans, wanted to help raise the needed funds after what the family have been through.

She told The Cumberland News : "Because [the Last Wish gift] is what he was entitled to from the charity, we really, really do want to give him something back. It was a once-in-a-lifetime gift that he's lost.

"Adam goes through a lot everyday in his daily life and then to have to deal with the floods... I just want to do everything I can for the family."

Adam, his mum, and sister Amy, 11, were evacuated from their Carlisle home in December and have only just moved back, after being in temporary accommodation for nine months.

In addition to the loss of their home, the floods caused a lot of upset and disruption to Adam's important routine and left him without some of his equipment.

In the months since Desmond, the youngster's health deteriorated. He used to be fed through a tube in his stomach, but his body could no longer tolerate it.

After a long period in hospital - where he underwent three surgeries in about 10 days - Adam is now fed through his lower bowel and is hooked up to a machine for more than 19 hours a day. This affects his ability to play, explore and has an impact on family life.

His increased care needs mean Adam has to be fed through the night and Stephanie is often kept up, concerned, as his machines beep when he moves.

She hasn't had a moment's respite since Adam went into hospital in July, and he hasn't yet been able to go back to school at James Rennie.

"Within the last year and a half he'd got mobile with his walking aid and was really wanting to walk all the time," explained Lindsey, 28.

"Now with this being attached for a long period of time he's not able to do that and is more frustrated. He's not a happy boy really."

While Adam loved his wheelchair-accessible sandpit and see saw, the aim is to raise £2,500 to buy him a specialist chair and create a sensory area in his bedroom - as he is more susceptible to infections during the winter.

Lindsey said: "If he is bored he gets aggressive and frustrated and that's where he will get upset and become distressed.

"If there's something in the house that can entertain him it will have an impact on the whole family, because he will just be happier and it's a safe environment for him."

Stephanie has been overwhelmed with the support her family have already received and £900 which has already been donated.

"I can't believe [Lindsey's] doing it for us. I'm so grateful and I appreciate so much what she's doing," she said.

"Now Adam's health has deteriorated, it's going to be more of a life essential. He's needing 24-hour care now."

In particular Stephanie wanted to thank Judith's Hairdressers, in Lamb Street, which has raised more than £300, and Sealy Beds which donated £250.

She also wanted to praise Jigsaw Cumbria's Children's Hospice, the Cumberland Infirmary's children's ward and family and friends for their support.

To help replace Adam's Last Wish visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/memoriesforadam.