Football fans and supporters of Deal Town FC are asked to bring memorabilia to the Charles Ground this afternoon to help a fundraising effort involving a little boy with a shortened life expectancy.

Six year-old Alfie Lund is one of only 30 boys in the UK to have MECP2 duplication syndrome, meaning he can't walk or talk.

He and his family have travelled around grounds collecting memorabilia like shirts and scarves, which they plan to join together in a bid to raise cash for treatment.

Deal Town FC chairman Rob Marriott said: "The club is very proud to be able to bring this great charity to Deal Town FC."

So far they have exceeded two miles of donations from clubs and well wishers around the country.

MECP2 duplication syndrome is a condition affecting the X chromosone. It primarily affects boys and is passed to the child from a parent (usually the mother) who carries the gene.

Symptoms include developmental delay, absent to minimal speech and recurrent infections among other things. Progressive tightness of the lower limbs can lead to immobility.

Alfie in particular suffers profound multiple learning difficulties, recurrent chest infections and has experienced two bouts of pneumonia. He can not feed or dress himself and may develop epilepsy.

A Facebook page (click here) has amassed more than 25,500 likes and his website thealfielundfund.co.uk tells the whole story.

A message from Alfie's parents said: "Despite all that, he is the most amazing little boy who takes life in his stride. He smiles and laughs and has just learnt how to give hugs.

"He is an inspirational little boy who just happens to need lots of help along the way."

The family ultimately hopes to raise cash to help pay for his care, and they want to raise awareness of the condition too.

Alfie will attend today.

Deal Town FC hopes to gather as much memorabilia as possible at today's match against Croyden FC, to help the family's fundraising. Donations can be made from 2pm.