The parents of a young Ipswich boy who has cystic fibrosis have launched a fundraising appeal to buy a life-changing piece of equipment that will help him be more independent.

Terri and Shaun Hindle have to perform manual chest therapy on their son Oliver twice daily, which involves the nine-year-old lying down on the floor and being tapped in certain places on his body with a cupped hand to loosen the mucus in his lungs.

Not only this, but Oliver has to take a daily regime of medications as well as attending frequent hospital appointments to help him manage his condition.

The family, of Waterford Road, are trying to raise £3,000 to get Oliver a physiotherapy vest, which mechanically performs chest physical therapy by vibrating at a high frequency.

“The age Oliver is at now he likes to be more independent and he likes to be able to do things for himself rather than having to take time out to lie down and have us do it for him,” said Mrs Hindle, who works part-time in a fish and chip shop.

“The vest itself when it turns on it vibrates his chest and helps him shift a lot of mucus from his lungs so he can cough it up more easily. It will be brilliant for helping him stay well.”

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting condition that causes mucus to gather in the lungs and digestive system and creates a range of challenging symptoms.

Oliver, who has two brothers, Jacob, 10, and Max, seven, was diagnosed at four months old by a routine heel prick.

Mrs Hindle, 31, said it was sometimes hard for Oliver, who attends Whitehouse Community Primary School, having a different daily routine from his brothers.

“He’s got to the stage where there’s a lot more questions coming up about why he has to do things and it’s not fair,” Mrs Hindle said. “It’s hard for him, but he copes really well as he’s never known any different.”

The money will help the family buy a refurbished second-hand physiotherapy vest, which would have previously been used as a demonstration model for patients. To buy a brand new vest would cost around £7,000.

The family are also holding a fundraising event at Bourne Vale Social Club on Saturday from 7pm to late.

It will feature a performance from Suffolk singer Andrew Spall, a Motown disco, a raffle and a barbecue.

Tickets cost £4 for adults and £2 for children, and can be purchased by contacting Mrs Hindle on 07519906022 or can be picked up from the social club.

To donate, visit: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/olivers-vest